OBJECTIVETo investigate whether paclitaxel (Taxel) can efficiently induce apoptosis of ACC-2 or not, and to study the relation of apoptosis and arrest of cell mitosis.

METHODSPaclitaxel-induced arrest of cell mitosis and apoptosis of ACC-2 cells in various concentration and different treat time were determined using transmission electron microscope (TEM), fluorescence microscope, flow-cytometry and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis technique.

RESULTSUnder fluorescence microscope, apoptotic cells were green with irregular clumping of nucleus chromatin, or even nuclear chromatin segregation. The typical ultra-structural changes of apoptosis observed by TEM were cell compaction, margination of nuclear chromatin, condensation of cytoplasm, protuberances and apoptotic body. "DNA Ladder" was absent in agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA extracted from culture of ACC-2 cells and paclitaxel-induced ACC-2 cells. "Sub-G(1)" phase peak of ACC-2 cells induced by 50 nmol/L paclitaxel in 48 h and 72 h was 17.13% and 16.26%, respectively. The percentage of G(2)/M phase increased in accordance with raise of the paclitaxel concentration and prolongation of treatment. The typical ultra-structural changes of apoptosis were observed in case that G(2)/M phase was arrested.

CONCLUSIONSPaclitaxel could induce apoptosis of ACC-2 cells. Arrest of G(2)/M phase might induce apoptosis of ACC-2 cells.