The antimicrobial peptide PR-39 has a protective effect against HeLa cell apoptosis.

Abstract

PR-39 is a cathelicidin with antimicrobial properties, which acts as a suppressor of inflammation and exerts a number of additional activities. We investigated for the first time the effect of PR-39 on human cells, by addressing the possible interference with HeLa cell metabolism. We observed that the continuous administration of PR-39 to HeLa cell cultures was not cytotoxic and did not interfere with DNA synthesis. When used in combination with a panel of drugs inducing apoptosis through different mechanisms of action, i.e. etoposide, bleomycin, tert-butylhydroperoxide and 2-deoxy-d-ribose, PR-39 attenuated the apoptotic response of HeLa cells.

• Authors: Christopher R Ross, Giovanni Ricevuti, Anna Ivana Scovassi
• Journal: Chemical biology & drug design (Chem Biol Drug Des) Vol. 70 Issue 2 Pg. 154-7 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 1747-0277 [Print] England
• PMID: 17683376 (Publication Type: Letter)

Chemical References

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
• Bleomycin
• PR 39
• Deoxyribose
• Etoposide
• DNA
• tert-Butylhydroperoxide

Topics

• Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Bleomycin (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• DNA (biosynthesis)
• Deoxyribose (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Etoposide (antagonists & inhibitors)
• HeLa Cells
• Humans
• tert-Butylhydroperoxide (antagonists & inhibitors)