Effects of As(2)O(3) on BCR-ABL protein level and signal transduction in CML cells.

Objective: To explore the effects of As(2)O(3) on BCR-ABL protein level and signal transduction in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) cells.

Methods: Immunoprecipitation, protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) activity assay, real-time Taqman quantitative PCR and Western blot were used.

Results: As(2)O(3) downregulated BCR-ABL protein and STAT1 protein of CML mononuclear cells in the concentrations of 1.0 approximately 2.0 micro mol/L and 0.5 approximately 2.0 micro mol/L after 48 h exposure, respectively. However, p27 protein level was not affected. The PTK activity of BCR-ABL protein was also mildly decreased in CML monouclear cells at 60 h. The bcr-abl mRNA level remained unchanged.

Conclusion: As(2)O(3) downregulats BCR-ABL protein, STAT1 protein, BCR-ABL signal transduction and PTK activity in CML cells.