Kinamycin F downregulates cyclin D3 in human leukemia K562 cells

The bacterial metabolite kinamycin F, which contains an unusual and potentially reactive diazo group, is being investigated as an antitumor agent with a potentially novel target. Treatment of K562 cells with kinamycin F induced erythroid differentiation, a rapid apoptotic response, induction of caspase-3/7 activities and a delayed cell cycle progression through the S and G(2)/M phases. Kinamycin F caused a selective reduction of cyclin D3 protein, which appeared to be mediated at the level of transcription, rather than by affecting the stability of either cyclin D3 protein or mRNA. Thus cyclin 03 is a potential target of kinamycin F. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.