Abstract
m2163 is a cationic antimicrobial peptide that inhibits SW480 cells proliferation and induces apoptosis. However, the process by which m2163 kills SW480 cells is not well understood. This study shows that apoptosis and proliferation inhibition in SW480 cells were precedes by m2163 binding to, and progressive permeabilization of the cell membrane. Flow cytometry reveals that m2163 interacts with SW480 cells. In addition, fluorescent microscopy and confocal microscopy show that m2163 localizes with cell membrane in SW480 cells. Mitochondria may not the target of m2163 because purified mitochondria which isolated after treated with FITC-m2163 were not detected fluorescent signal by flow cytometry. Furthermore, m2163 disrupts SW480 cell membrane integrity prior to apoptosis induction. These data suggest that interaction mechanism between m2163 and SW480 cells results from localization with and permeabilization of the cell membrane.