CopA3 peptide from Copris tripartitus induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells via a caspase-independent pathway

Abstract

Our previous study demonstrated that CopA3, a disulfide dimerof the coprisin peptide analogue (LLCIALRKK), has antibacterialactivity. In this study, we assessed whether CopA3caused cellular toxicity in various mammalian cell lines.CopA3 selectively caused a marked decrease in cell viabilityin Jurkat T, U937, and AML-2 cells (human leukemia cells),but was not cytotoxic to Caki or Hela cells. Fragmentation ofDNA, a marker of apoptosis, was also confirmed in the leukemiacell lines, but not in the other cells. CopA3-induced apoptosisin leukemia cells was mediated by apoptosis inducingfactor (AIF), indicating induction of a caspase-independent signalingpathway. [BMB reports 2012; 45(2): 85-90]

Keywords

• Anti-cancer effect
• Apoptosis
• Caspase-independent apoptosis pathways
• Cell membrane penetration
• Insect peptide
• Leukemia