Antitumor effect of partially purified venom protein from Conus virgo on rat glioma cell line

Abstract

Abstract Background Since many research works have been carried out to identify the pharmacological properties of conotoxins from many Conus sp. The pharmacological properties of higher molecular weight toxin from the venom of Conus sp. have been poorly elucidated. Therefore, the present investigation was made to isolate the higher molecular weight toxin from the venom of Conus virgo and to test its antitumor effect on rat glioma cell line. Results The partially purified fraction 1 showed better activity (IC50 50 μg/ml) than fraction 2 (IC50 150 µg/ml) after 24 h incubation. The decreased elevation of creatine kinase was documented on fraction 1treated C6 cells. Vero cells showed minimal cell damage at 150 μg/ml 24 h as well. The nuclear morphology and nuclear fragmentation showed the presence of nuclear damage in C6 cells. Western blot analysis revealing the upregulation of the p53-mediated intrinsic apoptotic pathway was documented. Conclusions The present investigation emphasizes that the partially purified fraction 1 has triggered p53 mediated apoptosis by synergism of two higher molecular weight toxins in Rat glioma cell.

Keywords

• Conus virgo
• Glioma
• Anion exchange chromatography
• Creatine kinase
• p53