Violacein induces cell death by triggering mitochondrial membrane hyperpolarization in vitro

• DOI: 10.1186/s12866-015-0452-2
• Publication Date: 2015-06-05T06:38:06Z
• Authors: Angélica Maria de...; Jana Dara Freires...; Silvia Regina Bat...; Tatjana Keesen de...; Lucymara Fassarel...
• Keywords: HeLa; Chromobacterium violaceum; Hyperpolarization

Violacein is a purple pigment from Chromobacterium violaceum that possesses diverse biological and pharmacological properties. Among these, pro-oxidant antioxidant activities have been suggested. However, the cytotoxic mechanisms induced by violacein are poorly understood improvement in knowledge regarding these cell death will be useful to develop new therapeutic approaches. Considering this, our work, we investigated effects of non-tumor (CHO-K1 MRC-5) tumor (HeLa) lines, searching for better understanding reactive oxygen species (ROS) production induction.Cytotoxicity was observed three lines; however, MRC-5 HeLa cells were shown more sensitive treatment. Although punctual alterations apparatus increase oxidative stress biomarkers some concentrations, no association found between increased induction death. mitochondrial membrane potential observed.In fact, suggests hyperpolarization might main cause triggered violacein.