Mechanisms involved in ceramide-induced cell cycle arrest in human hepatocarcinoma cells

Figure 1 Ceramide inhibited proliferation by halt of cell cycle in Bel7402 cells. A: ceramide inhibited cell proliferation in Bel7402 cells. Cells were cultured in the medium with different concentrations of C2-ceramide for 24 h. Cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay and presented as cell proliferative rates. The results show the mean ± SE (n = 3-4); B and C: ceramide down-regulated the expression of E-cadherin. Bel7402 cells were incubated with or without 30 μmmo/L of ceramide for 24 h. Cells were then harvested and stained with anti-E-cadherin directly labeled by PE. The protein levels of E-cadherin were determined by flow cytometry. Data was represented by the mean ± SE of 3 or 4 separate experiments (B). Bel7402 cells were incubated with or without 30 μmmo/L of ceramide for 24 h. Cells were then harvested, lysed and resolved in 12% SDS-PAGE. The expression of E-cadherin was determined by Western blot. Actin was used as a control. Data represent the results of three separate experiments (C).