QUERCETIN DOWN-REGULATED BCL-2 GENE-EXPRESSION IN HUMAN LEUKEMIA HL-60 CELLS

AIM: To study the effect of quercetin (Que) on bcl-2 gene expression i n human leukemia HL-60 cells. METHODS: Immunohistochemical analysis an d RNA Dot blot hybridization were used to identify the expression of b cl-2 genes. RESULTS: The expression of bcl-2 protein was 94% in contro l HL-60 cells, which became 45% - 84% when they were cultured with Que 15 - 60 mu mol . L-1 for 48 h. The expression of bcl-2 mRNA in HL-60 cells was obviously decreased in treatment with Que 15 - 60 mu mol . L -1. CONCLUSION: The apoptotic action of Que in HL-60 cells was associa ted with the downregulation of the apoptosis-suppressing gene bcl-2.