Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) induces cell apoptosis mainly by the mitochondrial pathway. The Bcl-2 family proteins play an important role in this pathway. However, the detailed mechanism is not elucidated. The current study was aimed to determine whether Bim, a BH3-only protein of Bcl-2 family, was involved during Photofrin-PDT-induced apoptosis in ASTC-a-1 and MCF-7 cell lines. The data show that massive reactive oxygen species (ROS) were generated firstly after Photofrin-PDT treatment, leading to the disappearance of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Furthermore, the activation of Bim and Bax were dynamically observed. Confocal imaging of the cells transfected with GFP-BimL demonstrated that BimL translocate to mitochondria occurred about 12 min after PDT treatment. Bax activation occurred about 15 min after PDT treatment. These results suggest that Bim, as an effectors, was involved in Photofrin-PDT-induced apoptosis.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
