Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletion on the growth and invasiveness of human
lymphoma Namalwa cells. Methods ρ0-Namalwa cells with mtDNA deletion were generated by treating Namalwa cells with
ethidium bromide and confirmed by selective ρ0 test medium analysis, PCR and Western blotting. The growth of ρ0-Namalwa
cells was evaluated by MTT assay and cell cycle analysis, and the cell migration and invasiveness were assessed with Transwell
assay. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cytosolic Ca2+ were detected by flow cytometry. Results ρ0-Namalwa cells
could grow and divide normally in selective medium supplemented with uridine and pyruvate but not in nonselective
medium. PCR did not yield the products of mtDNA, nor was COXII expression detected in ρ0-Namalwa cells. ρ0-Namalwa cells
showed an obvious attenuation of cell proliferation and migration abilities with significantly lowered ROS production and
cytosolic Ca2 + . Conclusion The suppressed growth and migration of ρ0-Namalwa cells may be the result of decreased ROS
production and cytosolic Ca2+.