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 trioxid e on the nuclear matrix protein profiles of mouse neuroblastoma cells. Arse nic trioxide induces apoptosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia cells. Our. results demonstrated that 2 muM As2O3 could significantly inhibit the growt h of Neuro-2a cells. As early as 24 hours after As2O3 treatment, we began t o observe the alteration of nuclear matrix proteins and apoptosis in tumor cells by TUNEL assay but not by DNA ladder An increase expression of Hse in nuclear matrix proteins of 2 muM As2O3 heated cells was also,noted. Our re sults also showed that before a mass range of apoptosis occurred, the compo sition of nuclear matrix proteins had altered. Hence the alteration of nucl ear matrix proteins, such as increased expression of Hsc, may be a sensitiv e indicator for the detection of early apoptosis.