Effect of Carcinogenic Chromium(VI) on Cell Death and Cell Cycle in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

Chromium compounds are known human and animal carcinogens. In this study, the effects of sodium chromate on apoptosis and cell cycle were investigated in order to unveil the elements of early cellular responses to the metal. Using Chinese hamster ovary cells(CHO-K1-BH4), we found taht chromium (VI) treatment induced apoptosis in these cells, as signified by nuclear fragmentation, DNA laddering on agarose gel electrophoresis, and an increased proportionof cells with hypodiploid DNA. Preceding these changes, chromium (VI) treatment increased caspase 3 pritease activity and also increased expression of p53 protein, while the level of bcl2 protein was not changed. Coincubation with caspase inhibitor, Z-DEVD-FMK, inhibited chromium-induced apoptosis. In the flow cytometric analysis using propidium iodide fluorescence, an increase of cell population in G2/M phase was shown in cells exposed to at least 160 $\mu\textrm{m}$ of sodium chromate for 72h, form 9.8% for 0$\mu\textrm{m}$ chromium (VI) to 26.4% for 320$\mu\textrm{m}$ chromium(VI). Taken together, these findings suggest that chromium(VI)-induced apoptosis is accompanied by G2/M cell cycle arrest, and that p53-mediated pathway may be involved in positive regulation of G2/M arrest and a concurred apoptosis in CHO cells.