Alteration of nuclear matrix protein composition of neuroblastoma cells after arsenic trioxide treatment.

The aims of the present study were to assess the effects of arsenic trioxide on the nuclear matrix protein profiles of mouse neuroblastoma cells. Arsenic trioxide induces apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Our results demonstrated that 2μM As 2 O 3 could significantly inhibit the growth of Neuro-2a cells. As early as 24 hours after As 2 O 3 treatment, we began to observe the alteration of nuclear matrix proteins and apoptosis in tumor cells by TUNEL assay but not by DNA ladder. An increase expression of Hsc in nuclear matrix proteins of 2μM As 2 O 3 treated cells was also noted. Our results also showed that before a mass range of apoptosis occurred, the composition of nuclear matrix proteins had altered. Hence the alteration of nuclear matrix proteins, such as increased expression of Hsc, may be a sensitive indicator for the detection of early apoptosis.