Abstract:

Changes in the surface structure of cell membrane and the contents of membrane proteins and nuclear DNA of human gastric cancer (BGC-823) cells treated with organotin compound (Et2SnCl2phen) were studied with a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a scanning tunneling, microscope (STM), and a cytofluorophotometer. It was found that Et2SnCl2Phen not only inhibited the cell growth but also remarkably changed the surface structure of the membrane of cancer cells. The surface of Et2SnCl2phen treated cancer cells was relatively smooth and showed fewer microvilli under SEM. STM images showed an uneven and loose distribution of the surface of the cell. In comparison with the untreated cancer cells, there was an evident decrease in the content of membrane proteins and nuclear DNA in Et_2SnCl2phen treated cells.

Key words: Organotin compound (Et2SnCl2phen), Surface structure of membrane, Membrane proteins, Nuclear DNA, Human gastric cancer cells