苏云金芽孢杆菌Cry1Ac杀虫晶体蛋白及其分子设计

Cry1Ac编码的杀虫晶体蛋白是苏云金芽孢杆菌（Bt）产生的多种杀虫晶体蛋白中对鳞翅目昆虫有很高毒性的蛋白。第一个Cry1Ac杀虫晶体蛋白最早在库斯塔克亚种HD73中以伴胞晶体形式分离获得,其编码区为3534bp,编码蛋白分子量为133kD,含1178个氨基酸,等电点为4.84。白此以来,Cry1Ac杀虫晶体蛋白结构、功能以及应用研究一直是Bt杀虫晶体蛋白研究的重要方向。本文介绍了苏云金芽孢杆菌中应用最广泛的Cry1Ac杀虫晶体蛋白家族的结构、功能及其基因分类,并进一步就基于苏云金芽孢杆菌Cry1Ac杀虫晶体蛋白的基因工程研究做了分析,提出了持续利用Bt Cry1Ac杀虫晶体蛋白的一些见解。     

黄芩苷对热应激条件下猪近端肾小管(LLC-PK1)细胞凋亡率及B细胞淋巴瘤-2基因(Bcl-2)和Bcl-2相关X蛋白基因(Bax)表达的影响

为探讨不同浓度黄芩苷对热应激条件下猪近端肾小管细胞(pig kidney proximal tubular cells,LLC-PK1)细胞凋亡率及B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2基因(B-cellymphoma-2,Bcl-2)和Bcl-2相关X蛋白基因(Bcl-2 associated X protein,Bax)表达的影响,将培养的LLC-PK1细胞随机分为7个组,Ⅰ组为37℃空白对照组,Ⅱ组为42℃单纯热应激1 h组,Ⅲ、Ⅳ、Ⅴ、Ⅵ和Ⅶ组分别为用不同浓度黄芩苷(0.01、0.1、1、10和100μg/m L)处理组后42℃热应激1 h组,运用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot分别检测Bcl-2和Bax基因及蛋白的表达,流式细胞仪(Annexin V-FITC/PI双染法)检测细胞凋亡率。结果表明,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组能显著诱导LLC-PK1细胞Bcl-2 m RNA的表达(P0.05),极显著诱导细胞Bax m RNA和蛋白的表达(P0.01),能极显著降低细胞Bcl-2和Bax m RNA和蛋白的比值(P0.01),极显著增加细胞凋亡率(P0.01),但对细胞Bcl-2蛋白的表达无显著影响(P0.05)。黄芩苷处理组与Ⅱ组相比,Ⅳ、Ⅴ和Ⅵ组LLC-PK1细胞Bcl-2 m RNA的表达量均升高,其中Ⅴ组差异极显著(P0.01),Ⅳ及Ⅵ组差异显著(P0.05),Ⅲ及Ⅶ组差异不显著(P0.05),而细胞Bcl-2蛋白的表达量与Ⅱ组相比均差异不显著(P0.05);同样与Ⅱ组相比,黄芩苷处理的各组细胞Bax m RNA及蛋白的表达量均降低,其中Ⅴ及Ⅵ组差异极显著(P0.01),其余各组差异显著(P0.05);除Ⅲ组外,其他各组细胞Bcl-2和Bax m RNA及蛋白的比值与Ⅱ组相比均显著升高(P0.05),其中Ⅴ组细胞Bcl-2和Bax蛋白的比值差异极显著(P0.01);细胞凋亡率仅有Ⅲ组与Ⅱ组相比差异不显著(P0.05),而Ⅴ及Ⅵ组细胞凋亡率极显著低于Ⅱ组(P0.01),其余的Ⅳ和Ⅶ组显著低于Ⅱ组(P0.05)。一定浓度范围内的黄芩苷(0.1~100μg/m L)可能通过下调热应激条件下LLC-PK1细胞Bax的表达,从而提高Bcl-2和Bax的比值,降低细胞的凋亡率,对细胞起到保护作用。本研究从分子水平研究黄芩苷缓解热应激对猪LLC-PK1细胞的损害作用,可为明确其解热机制提供理论基础,并为其在临床上的应用提供有价值的参考资料。     

岩藻黄质对人红白血病HEL细胞的凋亡作用及其机制

为探讨岩藻黄质对人红白血病HEL细胞株增殖抑制作用及其诱导凋亡机制,以岩藻黄质处理人红白血病细胞(HEL细胞),采用四甲基偶氮唑蓝(MTT)法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率,分析细胞周期,测定细胞线粒体膜电位,并应用实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)和Western blot法检测凋亡相关基因及蛋白表达的变化。结果表明,岩藻黄质呈剂量依赖性抑制HEL细胞增殖(P<0.01)。流式细胞术检测显示,岩藻黄质作用24 h后,HEL细胞早期和晚期凋亡的比率极显著增高(P<0.01),G₀/G₁细胞比例增多,S期和G₂/M期细胞比例减少,线粒体膜电位降低;岩藻黄质通过上调促凋亡基因和下调抑凋亡基因的表达引起细胞的凋亡,Bcl-xL蛋白的表达变化不显著(P >0.05),Bcl-2蛋白的表达下调,Caspase-3和Bax蛋白的表达极显著上调(P<0.01)。由此可见,岩藻黄质能诱导HEL细胞凋亡,这为新型抗白血病功能食品的开发及白血病的治疗提供了理论依据。     

Bt杀虫晶体蛋白的土壤残留及其对土壤磷酸酶活性的影响

研究表明以不同形式导入土壤中的杀虫晶体蛋白在土壤中的残留特性及其对土壤磷酸酶活性的影响有所不同。以Bt菌体向土壤导入杀虫晶体蛋白的试验表明 :随着培养时间的延长 ,土壤中杀虫晶体蛋白含量逐渐增加 ,到 1 5d时达到一个峰值 ,而后下降 ,在培养 30d时 ,杀虫晶体蛋白含量基本与初始含量相同。以不同Bt棉组织添加土壤的试验表明 :随着培养时间的延长 ,土壤中的杀虫晶体蛋白含量降低 ,在培养初期下降的速度较快 ,随后下降的速度较慢 ,在培养的中后期基本稳定 ,在培养 5 6d时 ,杀虫晶体蛋白含量为初始值的 4 4 7%(ZK)和 5 6 1 %(GK)。不同Bt棉的盆栽试验表明 :在整个生育期内 ,Bt棉花种植后根际土壤中杀虫晶体蛋白含量均明显比非Bt棉高。Bt菌体和Bt棉组织处理的土壤磷酸酶活性均呈现出比对照高的趋势 ,而在Bt棉种植过程中Bt棉根际土壤的磷酸酶活性则呈现出比非Bt棉低的趋势。无论以何种方式向土壤中导入杀虫晶体蛋白 ,土壤磷酸酶活性在不同杀虫晶体蛋白浓度处理间的差异显著。     

植物BAG家族蛋白研究进展

Bcl-2相关抗凋亡(Bcl-2 associated athanogene,BAG)家族蛋白具有不同生物学功能,该家族成员广泛参与了肿瘤调控、细胞凋亡以及胁迫响应等多种生物学过程。目前,对植物中BAG家族生物学功能的研究主要集中于拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana)。本文对植物中BAG家族的生物学功能进行总结:1)BAG家族成员的C末端都含有一个进化上高度保守的BAG结构域,该结构域具有与Hsp70相关蛋白结合的功能;2)N末端的特异结构域如类泛素化结构域、钙调蛋白结合结构域等使得蛋白成员参与不同的生物学过程;3)BAG家族蛋白参与植物对温度、盐以及病原菌侵染等逆境胁迫的响应、植物程序性细胞死亡等生物学过程。本综述重点阐述已经报道的BAG家族蛋白在植物响应逆境胁迫方面的功能研究,有助于农作物中该家族蛋白抗逆方面研究以及分子育种工作的开展。     

转基因植物释放Bt毒素的土壤环境行为与生物学效应

Bt(Bacillus thuringiensis)杀虫晶体蛋白基因是植物抗虫基因工程中应用最广泛的基因,随着大批转Bt基因作物的商品化,Bt毒素对土壤生态系统的影响已引起了人们的高度关注。本文对转基因植物释放Bt毒素的土壤环境行为与生物效应进行了综述,包括Bt毒素蛋白进入土壤的途径、在土壤中的运动、与土壤颗粒的结合与存留及其对土壤生物和土壤酶的影响。     

Necrostatin-1对BCG感染后小鼠巨噬细胞RAW264.7凋亡的调控

5-(1H-吲哚-3-基甲基)-3-甲基-2-硫酮-4-咪唑烷酮(Necrostatin-1,Nec-1)是一种能够特异的、有效抑制细胞程序性凋亡的小分子物质.为了探讨Nec-1对卡介苗(Bacillus Calmette-Guérin,BCG)诱导的小鼠(Mus musculus)巨噬细胞RAW264.7凋亡的调控作用,本研究采用3-(4,5-二甲基噻唑-2)-2,5-二苯基四氮唑溴盐(3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo (-z-y1)-3,5-di-phenytetrazoliumromide,MTT)比色法检测细胞存活率,Annexin V和碘化丙啶(propidine iodide,PI)双染法检测细胞凋亡率,JC-1染色法检测细胞线粒体膜电位水平,采用分光光度法检测细胞内Caspase-3的酶活性,qRT-PCR和Westemblot法检测凋亡相关基因的mRNA和蛋白表达水平.结果表明,Nec-1可提高被BCG感染巨噬细胞的存活率,降低其凋亡率,通过降低线粒体膜电位水平、上调抑凋亡基因Bcl-2的表达同时下调RIP1、RIP3和BAX基因的表达水平,从而有效降低了Caspase-3的蛋白表达量及酶活性.本研究表明Nec-1可通过提高线粒体膜电位水平、并下调促凋亡蛋白的表达量,从而抑制被BCG感染后巨噬细胞的凋亡,这将有助于进一步研究结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis)与巨噬细胞间的相互作用,对于揭示结核病的致病机理具有重要意义.     

家蚕杆状病毒bro-d基因缺失对病毒基因转录和细胞凋亡的影响

家蚕核型多角体病毒(Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus,BmNPV)bro (baculovirus repeated ORF)-d基因普遍存在于多种感染鳞翅目昆虫的多角体病毒基因组中,是杆状病毒中一类重复开放阅读框序列.为了解bro-d基因在病毒感染过程中的作用及其与宿主细胞凋亡之间的关系,本研究利用Red重组技术敲除BmNPV基因组中的bro-d基因,构建基因缺失型病毒bro-d-ko-Bacmid,并将该缺失型病毒转染家蚕BmN细胞,利用qRT-PCR技术检测bro-d基因的缺失对病毒基因组复制、转录水平以及抑制凋亡蛋白2基因(inhibitor of apoptosis protein 2,iap2)的影响.结果显示,bro-d基因缺失后会导致病毒基因组的复制水平显著下降(P＜0.05),同时病毒的早期基因lef-3、晚期基因vp39和极晚期基因p1O的转录水平也都显著下降(P＜0.05);iap2的转录水平显著下调(P＜0.05).在bro-d基因缺失型病毒的复制水平明显低于野生型病毒的情况下,仍会导致细胞活力显著下降(P＜0.05);bro-d基因缺失引起细胞B淋巴细胞瘤-2(B-celllymphoma-2,Bcl-2)蛋白含量明显低于野生型病毒,而Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bcl-2 assaciated X protein,Bax)含量显著高于野生型病毒(P＜0.05),进而导致细胞凋亡水平上升.结果表明,bro-d基因不仅对病毒各时期基因表达水平具有调控作用,也可通过调控iap2的表达进而调控宿主细胞的凋亡水平.研究成果为深入了解bro-d基因在病毒感染过程中的功能提供了基础资料,也为通过延长宿主细胞寿命、提高目的蛋白表达产量来进行杆状病毒表达载体的改造提供了新思路.     

灯盏花乙素(Scu)对猪肾小管上皮细胞(LLC-PK1)细胞热休克蛋白72(HSP72)及凋亡相关基因表达的影响

灯盏花乙素(scutellarin,Scu)具有清热解毒、扩张心脑血管、改善微循环等作用。通过观察不同浓度Scu对猪肾小管上皮细胞(pig kidney proximal tubular,LLC-PK1)热休克蛋白72(heat shock protein72,HSP72)、B细胞淋巴瘤/白血病-2(B-cellymphoma/leukemia-2,Bcl-2)及Bcl-2相关X蛋白(Bcl-2associated X protein,Bax)表达的影响,探讨灯盏花乙素提高细胞耐热性的可能机制。将培养的LLC-PK1细胞随机分为37℃空白对照(Ⅰ组),42℃单纯热应激1 h(Ⅱ组),以及分别用不同浓度(1×10-5、1×10-6和1×10-7mol/L)Scu处理并42℃热应激1 h组(分别为Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组),提取各组细胞总RNA和总蛋白,用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot分别检测HSP72、Bcl-2和Bax基因及蛋白的表达量。结果显示,与Ⅰ组相比,Ⅱ组LLC-PK1细胞HSP72和Bax的mRNA及蛋白表达量显著升高(P0.05),Bcl-2/Bax mRNA和蛋白比值显著降低(P0.05),Bcl-2 mRNA和蛋白表达量并无显著差异(P0.05)。与Ⅱ组相比,Ⅳ和Ⅴ组LLCPK1细胞HSP72 mRNA和蛋白的表达量均显著升高(P0.05),Ⅲ组无显著差异(P0.05);Ⅳ组细胞Bcl-2 mRNA和蛋白表达量均显著升高(P0.05),Ⅲ和Ⅳ组并无显著差异(P0.05);Ⅲ、Ⅳ和Ⅴ组Bax mRNA和蛋白表达量均显著降低(P0.05);Ⅳ和Ⅴ组Bcl-2/Bax蛋白比值显著升高(P0.05)。研究结果表明,热应激条件下Scu可诱导LLC-PK1细胞HSP72表达,提高Bcl-2/Bax比值。结果提示,Scu可增强细胞的抗热休克作用。本研究丰富了体外培养细胞热应激反应的理论,为在实践中增加细胞抗热休克能力提供了理论依据。     

结核分枝杆菌BCG和H37Ra对巨噬细胞凋亡的影响及其机制研究

在结核分枝杆菌(Mycobacterium tuberculosis,MTB)与宿主巨噬细胞的相互作用中,巨噬细胞的凋亡对抵御及杀灭MTB起着重要的作用。为了探讨MTB的BCG和H37Ra两个弱毒株对巨噬细胞凋亡的影响及其相关机制,本研究比较了体外培养的BCG和H37Ra两种菌株感染小鼠(Mus musculus)巨噬细胞后对细胞凋亡的影响,并检测了肿瘤坏死因子-alpha(tumor necrosis factor-α,TNF-α)、凋亡相关蛋白半胱氨酸蛋白酶-3(Caspase-3)和B淋巴细胞瘤-2(B-cell lymphoma-2,Bcl-2)的表达情况。结果发现,与对照组相比,BCG和H37Ra感染后显著提高了巨噬细胞的凋亡率(P<0.05),TNF-α和Caspase-3的表达及活性也显著增加(P<0.01或P<0.05),同时极显著抑制了Bcl-2的表达(P<0.01)。但BCG感染组细胞凋亡率极显著高于H37Ra组(P<0.01),BCG感染组Caspase-3的表达和活性极显著高于H37Ra组(P<0.01),而Bcl-2和TNF-α的表达在BCG和H37Ra感染组间差异不显著(P>0.05)。结果提示,BCG和H37Ra两个弱毒株感染后对巨噬细胞凋亡的影响不同,可能与Caspase-3的表达相关,而与Bcl-2和TNF-α的表达无关。本研究为深入研究MTB毒力与巨噬细胞凋亡的相互作用机制提供了基础资料。     

黑龙江凉水自然保护区苏云金芽孢杆菌的收集与鉴定

黑龙江凉水自然保护区是我国现有保存下来的较大片原始红松林基地之一,总面积6394hm^2,森林覆盖率95％以上。本研究从小兴安岭凉水自然保护区采集土样782份,采用醋酸钠培养基结合高温方法筛选土壤中的芽孢杆菌,通过光学显微镜观察鉴定产生伴胞晶体的苏云金芽孢杆菌（Bacillus thuringiensis．Bt）。总计分离得到芽孢杆菌和苏云金芽孢杆菌分别为1735株和33株,Bt菌株的分离率和出菌率分别为1．90％和4．22％。利用SDS-PAGE和PCR—RFLP方法对筛选获得的成分离株进行了杀虫晶体蛋白和基因型分析,结果表明14株产菱形伴胞的＆菌株,SDS-PAGE电泳分析芽孢后期产生分子量大小130kD蛋白带,PCR-RFLP分析初步鉴定为crylAc基因,其它产圆形或其它不定形晶体蛋白的＆分离菌中,芽孢后期主要蛋白大小为20～150kD不等,PCR—RFLP方法鉴定结合PCR片段测序分析这些菌株含有新型cry4、cry39和cry40基因等。本研究是“中国助资源收鉴与利用”项目组成部分之一,凉水自然保护区苏云金芽孢杆菌的收集与鉴定目的是要对整个东北地区成资源分布和多样性作一个初步评估,实验结果表明东北森林地区具有丰富多样的威菌株和杀虫基因资源。     

Biomimetic extraction of Bacillus thuringiensis insecticidal crystal proteins from soil based on invertebrate gut fluid chemistry

Quantitative monitoring of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) insecticidal crystal proteins in soil has been hampered by the lack of efficient extraction/detection methods. A novel approach for simple and effective Bt protein extraction was explored by evaluating extraction solutions from invertebrate gut fluids. Marine worm gut fluids were identified as promising for extracting Bt protein from soil. An artificial gut fluid based on these marine worm gut fluids was developed using commercially available chemicals and was evaluated for its ability to extract Bt proteins from soil. On the basis of experiments with Cry1 proteins, the artificial gut fluid in combination with ELISA was highly effective for protein extraction and analysis in a variety of soil types and was well-correlated with bioassay results. Coupling of immunoassay with this extraction method provides, for the first time, an efficient, accurate, and quantitative assay for routine measurement of Bt protein residues in soil.     

Lucidenic acid B induces apoptosis in human leukemia cells via a mitochondria-mediated pathway

Ganoderma lucidum is known as a medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine. In the present study, the effect of lucidenic acids (A, B, C, and N) isolated from a new G. lucidum (YK-02) on induction of cell apoptosis and the apoptotic pathway in HL-60 cells were investigated. The results demonstrated that lucidenic acids decreased cell population growth of HL-60 cells, assessed with the MTT assay. The cell cycle assay indicated that treatment of HL-60 cells with lucidenic acid A, C, and N caused cell cycle arrest in the G 1 phase. Lucidenic acid B (LAB) did not affect the cell cycle profile; however, it increased the number of early and late apoptotic cells but not necrotic cells. Treatment of HL-60 cells with LAB caused loss of mitochondria membrane potential. Moreover, the ratio of expression levels of pro- and antiapoptotic Bcl-2 family members was changed by LAB treatment. LAB-induced apoptosis involved release of mitochondria cytochrome c and subsequently induced the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3, which were followed by cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Pretreatment with a general caspase-9 inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK) and caspase-3 inhibitor (Z-DEVD-FMK) prevented LAB from inhibiting cell viability in HL-60 cells. Our finding may be critical to the chemopreventive potential of lucidenic acid B.     

Effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester, an antioxidant from propolis, on inducing apoptosis in human leukemic HL-60 cells.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is an active component isolated from propolis. The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanism of CAPE-induced apoptosis in human leukemic HL-60 cells. It was found that CAPE entered HL-60 cells very quickly and then inhibited their survival in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. CAPE induced characteristic DNA fragmentation and morphological changes typical of apoptosis in these cells. Estimation of the apoptotic percentage showed a time-dependent increase after CAPE (6 microg/mL) treatment (up to 66.7 +/- 2.0% at 72 h). Treatment with CAPE caused rapid activation of caspase-3 after 4 h, down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression after 6 h, and up-regulation of Bax expression after 16 h. These results suggest that CAPE is a potent apoptosis-inducing agent; its action is accompanied by activation of caspase-3, down-regulation of Bcl-2, and up-regulation of Bax in human leukemic HL-60 cells.     

Mechanisms of cancer chemoprevention by hop bitter acids (beer aroma) through induction of apoptosis mediated by Fas and caspase cascades

The bitter acids of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) mainly consist of alpha-acids, beta-acids, and their oxidation products that contribute the unique aroma of the beer beverage. Hop bitter acids displayed a strong growth inhibitory effect against human leukemia HL-60 cells, with an estimated IC(50) value of 8.67 microg/mL, but were less effective against human histolytic lymphoma U937 cells. Induction of apoptosis was confirmed in HL-60 cells by DNA fragmentation and the appearance of a sub-G1 DNA peak, which were preceded by dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, and subsequent induction of pro-caspase-9 and -3 processing. Cleavages of PARP and DFF-45 were accompanied with activation of caspase-9 and -3 triggered by hop bitter acids in HL-60 cells. The change in the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-X(L), and Bax in response to hop bitter acids was studied, and the Bcl-2 protein level slightly decreased; however, the Bcl-X(L) protein level was obviously decreased, whereas the Bax protein level was dramatically increased, indicating that the control of Bcl-2 family proteins by hop bitter acids might participate in the disruption of mitochondrial integrity. In addition, the results showed that hop bitter acids promoted the up-regulation of Fas and FasL prior to the processing and activation of pro-caspase-8 and cleavage of Bid, suggesting the involvement of a Fas-mediated pathway in hop bitter acids-induced cells. Taken together, these findings suggest that a certain intimate link might exist between receptor- and mitochondria-mediated death signalings that committed to cell death induced by hop bitter acids. The induction of apoptosis by hop bitter acids may offer a pivotal mechanism for their chemopreventive action.     

Multiple receptors as targets of Cry toxins in mosquitoes

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) produces inclusions that are composed of proteins known as crystal proteins or Cry toxins. Due to their high specificity and their safety to humans and the environment, these Cry toxins are considered to be valuable alternatives to chemical pesticides in insect control programs. It is believed that Cry toxin-induced membrane pore formation is responsible for insect toxicity. The molecular mechanism of pore formation involves recognition and subsequent binding of the toxin to membrane receptors. This binding is accompanied by toxin oligomerization and transfer of domain I helices of the toxin to the lipid-water interface. This toxin insertion creates pores that lyse the cells. Several receptors from lepidopteran, coleopteran, and dipteran insects have been well characterized. This paper provides an overview of the understanding of the interactions between Cry toxin and multiple receptors in mosquitoes, in particular Aedes aegypti and reviews the manner by which the receptors were identified and characterized, with a focus on three proteins, cadherin, alkaline phosphatase, and aminopeptidase-N.     

Rapid digestion of Cry34Ab1 and Cry35Ab1 in simulated gastric fluid

Two genes were identified in Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner (Bt) that code for the proteins that comprise a Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 binary insecticidal crystal protein. Maize, Zea mays L., plants have been transformed to express the Cry34Ab1/Cry35Ab1 proteins, and as a result, these plants are resistant to attack by western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte, a major pest in the Midwestern corn-growing area of the U.S.A. As part of the safety assessment for the proteins, digestibility studies were conducted. Digestion experiments with both proteins demonstrated rapid degradation in simulated gastric fluid, comparable to other registered plant-incorporated protectants. Quantitative and qualitative approaches for determining digestibility are illustrated.     

Selective growth inhibition of human leukemia and human lymphoblastoid cells by resveratrol via cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induction

There is great interest in the potential chemopreventive activity of resveratrol against human cancers. However, there are conflicting results on its growth inhibitory effect on normal cells. This project examined the differential effect of resveratrol at physiologically relevant concentrations on nonmalignant (WIL2-NS) and malignant (HL-60) cell lines and compared the underlying mechanisms via cell cycle modulation, apoptosis induction, and genotoxicity potential. Twenty-four hours of exposure to resveratrol was toxic to WIL2-NS and HL-60 cells in a dose-dependent manner. WIL2-NS cells regrew 5 times more than HL-60 cells by 120 h after the removal of 100 microM resveratrol (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant alterations in cell cycle kinetics were induced by resveratrol in HL-60 cells, but were to a lesser extent for WIL2-NS cells. The proportion of apoptosis was also 3 times higher in HL-60 cells as compared to WIL2-NS cells for 100 microM resveratrol (p < 0.05). In conclusion, resveratrol preferentially inhibited the growth of HL-60 cells via cell cycle modulation and apoptosis induction and subsequently directed the cells to irreversible cell death, whereas the effect on WIL2-NS cells was largely reversible.