Melittin induces human gastric cancer cell apoptosis via activation of mitochondrial pathway

Figure 1 Melittin alters the release of mitochondria proteins in SGC-7901 cells. A: Growth inhibition of a human gastric cancer cell line (SGC-7901) by melittin. Numbers 1-6 indicates the melittin concentration used (1-6 μg/mL) to inhibit the growth of the gastric cancer cells after 1, 2, 4, 6, or 8 h; B: The expression of Cytochrome C, apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF), endonuclease G (EndoG), second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases (Smac)/direct IAP binding protein with low isoelectric point, pI (Diablo) detected by western blot. (^aP < 0.05 vs the control group; ^bP < 0.01 vs the control group); C: Ultra microstructure of mitochondria after incubation with 4 μg/mL melittin [a: SGC-7901 control group; b: SGC-7901 cells incubated with 4 μg/mL melittin for 4 h; (scale bar 0.5 μm, × 6600)]. The arrow is the mitochondria.