Objective    To investigate the pro-apoptotic effects of an α1-adrenergic inhibitor

doxazosin

in HeLa cells and the role of transcription factor activator protein-2α (AP-2α) in the process.     Methods    The HeLa cells were treated with doxazosin (0

10

40 or 60 μmol/L) for 16 h

and cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometric analysis. After doxazosin (60 μmol/L) treated the HaLa cells

the cells transfected with AP-2α overexpressing constructs or an antisense oligonucleotide against AP-2α for 16 h

the apoptosis was analyzed with FCM. The expression of AP-2α and caspase-3 in above 3 groups of cells was detected by relative quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis

respectively.     Results    Doxazosin increased the apoptotic rate and total cell death rate of the HeLa cells

and upregulated the expressions of AP-2α and caspase-3 in a dose-dependent manner. Overexpressing AP-2α improved the increased apoptotic rate and total cell death rate induced by doxazosin

and enhanced the increased expression of caspase-3. Whereas doxazosin-induced apoptosis and the total cell death in HeLa cells were decreased by antisense AP-2α

and antisense AP-2α in part abolished the increased effects of doxazosin on caspase-3 expression.     Conclusion    Doxazosin induces apoptosis in HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner

and transcription factor AP-2α is functionally involved in this process.