Didemnin B induces cell death by apoptosis: the fastest induction of apoptosis ever described

Didemnin B, a cyclic N-methylated peptolide induces Apoptosis in human HL-60 cells. When incubated with 1 microM didemnin B, unsynchronized HL-60 cultures undergo Apoptosis to 100% within 140 minutes. Apoptosis has been assessed by the typical apoptotic morphology, the presence of double-stranded DNA fragments within the cytosol and the generation of DNA ladders. None of these characteristics of Apoptosis are seen when HL-60 cells are pretreated with 1mM Zn2+ immediately before treatment with didemnin B.