Deguelin inhibits expression of IkappaBalpha protein in Raji and U937 cells.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine whether deguelin can regulate the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) binding protein (IkappaBalpha) in U937 human leukemia cells and Raji human B lymphoma cells. METHODS: The localization of IkappaBalpha protein was investigated by using an immunofluorescence method. The expression of IkappaBalpha and NF-kappaB /p65 proteins in Raji and U937 cells were investigated by using Western blotting. Apoptosis was detected through annexin V/PI double-labeled cytometry. RESULTS: IkappaBalpha localized in the cytoplasm in untreated and deguelin-treated cells. After treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) or deguelin plus TNF-alpha for 15 min, there was a substantial reduction in the amount of IkappaBalpha protein. The expression of IkappaBalpha was downregulated by deguelin in Raji and U937 cells. Deguelin induced apoptosis in U937 cells. CONCLUSION: Deguelin inhibited the expression of IkappaBalpha protein in U937 and Raji cells. The anti-proliferative activity of deguelin is related to the signal pathway of NF-kappaB.