2007-10-242007-10-242007-05Joubert, A & Marais, S 2007,'In vitro effects of 2-methoxyestradiol on cell morphology and Cdc2 Kinase activity in SNO oesophageal carcinoma cells', Cell Biochemistry and Function, vol. 25, no. 3, pp. 357-362. [http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-CBF.html]0263-64841099-084410.1002/cbf.1409http://hdl.handle.net/2263/3787The effects of 1 × 10-6 M exogenous 2-methoxyestradiol (2 ME) were determined on cell morphology and cell division cycle (Cdc) 2 kinase activity in SNO oesophageal carcinoma cells. Mitotic indices revealed an increase in metaphase cells (11.2%) when compared to the 0.5% vehicle-treated cells after 18 h of exposure to 2 ME. Vehicle-treated control cells did not show any hallmarks of apoptosis after 18 h of exposure to dimethyl sulphoxide. Only 0.5% of 2 ME-treated cells showed characteristics of apoptosis. Conversely, increased morphological hallmarks of apoptosis were observed in SNO-treated cells after 21.5 h of 2 ME exposure. When compared to the 0.5% in vehicle-treated cells, 4.7% of cells were in apoptosis. Furthermore, 34.1% of cells were blocked in metaphase after 21.5 h of 2 ME exposure compared to 0.6% of vehicle-control cells. In addition, Cdc2 kinase activity was statistically significantly increased (1.3-fold) (p < 0.005) in 2 ME-treated cells when compared to vehicle-treated controls. The present preliminary study suggests that the accumulation observed in metaphase cells and the increase in Cdc2 kinase activity caused by 2 ME are consistent with morphological hallmarks of mitotic arrest and disrupted mitotic spindle formation, thus leading to induction of apoptosis in SNO cells.202491 bytesapplication/pdfenJohn Wiley & Sons, Ltd.2-methoxyestradiolCdc2 kinaseMorphologyApoptosisOesophageal carcinomaEsophagus--CancerApoptosisCell divisionCells--MorphologyDimethyl sulfoxideMitosisPostprint Article