OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of heat shock protein 90(HSP90) inhibitor 17-DMAG, an inhibitor specific for heat shock protein 90, on the proliferation and apoptosis of acute lymphocytic leukemia cell lines Jurkat.

METHODSJurkat cells were collected, then were treated with 17-DMAG. The expression of HSP90 was examined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis, the effect of 17-DMAG on cell proliferation were detected by using WST, and cell apoptosis were detected by using flow cytometry with Annexin V/PI double stenining.

RESULTSAfter Jurkat cells were treated with different concentrations of 17-DMAG for 48 hours, the HSP90 mRNA expression decreased significantly in dose dependent manner (r=0.9530, P<0.01). The ICwas 3.17 mmol/L when the Jurkat cells were treated with 17-DMAG for 48 h; after treating Jurkat cell with 17-DMAG, the cell proliferation was inhibited(r=0.9903, P< 0.01), the cell apoptosis was increased in dose dependent manner (r=0.9876, P<0.01).

CONCLUSION17-DMAG can inhibit the Jurkat cell proliferation and induce the Jurkat cell apoptosis.