DIDEMNIN-B INDUCES CELL-DEATH BY APOPTOSIS - THE FASTEST INDUCTION OF APOPTOSIS EVER DESCRIBED

Didemnin B, a cyclic N-methylated peptolide induces apoptosis in human HL-60 cells. When incubated with 1 mu M didemnin B, unsynchronized HL-60 cultures undergo apoptosis to 100% within 140 minutes. Apoptosis has been assessed by the typical apoptotic morphology, the presence of double-stranded DNA fragments within the cytosol and the generation of DNA ladders. None of these characteristics of apoptosis are seen when HL-60 cells are pretreated with 1 mM Zn2+ immediately before treatment with didemnin B. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.