Abstract
The objective of this study is to investigate the structural basis of apoptosis-inducing activity of T-2 toxin in HL-60 human promyelotic leukemia cells. DNA fragmentation pattern in gel electrophoresis and quantitative DNA assay were used to examine the apoptosis-inducing ability of T-2 and its metabolites. Of six kinds of mycotoxins tested, T-2 was found to be the most potent apoptotic agent. The rank order of the potency was T-2>HT-2 > 3'-OH-T-2=NEOS =3'-OH-HT-2=TOL=vehicle control. Since either hydroxylation of T-2 at carbon 3'(C-3') of isovaleryl group (3'-OH-T-2) or hydrolysis of T-2 at C-8 (NEOS) abrogated the apoptosis-inducing ability, it was suggested that intact isovaleryl group of T-2 molecule played an important role in induction of apoptosis in HL-60 cells in vitro.
