Proteolytic Activation Of Caspase-3 Research Articles

Induction of G2/M Arrest and Apoptosis by the Methanol Extract of Typha orientalis in Human Colon Adenocarcinoma HT29 Cells

Soojung Jin , Seung-Geun Yun , You Na Oh , Ji-Young Lee , Hyun-jin Park , Kyong-Suk Jin , Hyun Ju Kwon and Byung Woo Kim . Microbiol. Biotechnol. Lett. 2013;41:425-32. https://doi.org/10.4014/kjmb.1308.08002

인간 암세포인 AGS와 T24에서의 apoptosis 유도에 미치는 Bacillus subtilis 혈전용해효소 BK-17의 영향

To investigate the effects of a fibrinolytic enzyme, BK-17, on the growth of human cancer cells, we performed various biochemical experiments, including cell proliferation and viability, and investigated subsequent morphological changes and apoptosis induction. BK-17 treatment of AGS human gastric and T24 human bladder carcinoma cells decreased the viability and the proliferation of the cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Microscopic studies indicated that the antiproliferative effects of the BK-17 treatment were associated with morphological changes, such as membrane shrinking, cell rounding up, and the formation of apoptotic bodies, indicating that BK-17 induced apoptosis in the cell lines. Of note, RT-PCR and Western blotting data indicated that the BK-17 treatment induced the down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 members, Bcl-2 and , and the up-regulation of proapoptotic Bax members, Bax and Bad, in the AGS cells. BK-17-induced apoptosis of AGS cells was involved in the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9. Taken together, these findings suggest that BK-17 is associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death.

Dengue 2 infection of HepG2 liver cells results in endoplasmic reticulum stress and induction of multiple pathways of cell death

BackgroundA number of studies have implicated the direct involvement of the liver in dengue virus (DENV) infection, and it has been widely shown that liver cells subsequently undergo apoptosis. The mechanism by which liver cells undergo apoptosis in response to DENV infection remains unclear. To provide further information on the mechanism of apoptosis in DENV infected liver cells, HepG2 cells were infected with DENV 2 and analyzed for the induction of ER stress, apoptosis and autophagy.ResultsIn response to DENV infection, HepG2 cells showed the induction of both the ER resident unfolded protein response as well as the Noxa/PUMA stress response pathways. Proteolytic activation of caspases 4, 7, 8 and 9 was observed as well as changes in mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Increased monodansylcadaverine staining was observed in DENV infected cells, consistent with the previously reported induction of autophagy.ConclusionsThese results are consistent with a model in which the induction of multiple ER stress pathways is coupled with the induction of multiple cell death pathways as a mechanism to ensure the removal of infected liver cells from the system.

Induction of Apoptosis by Fucoidan in Human Leukemia U937 Cells through Activation of p38 MAPK and Modulation of Bcl-2 Family

The present study investigated possible mechanisms on the apoptosis induction of human leukemic cells by fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide found in marine algae. Fucoidan treatment of cells resulted in inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis, as measured by 3-(4,5-dimetylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay, fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis. The increase in apoptosis was associated with the proteolytic activation of caspases, Bid cleavage, insertion of pro-apoptotic Bax into the mitochondria, release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol, and loss of mitochondria membrane potential (MMP) in U937 cells. However, apoptosis induced by fucoidan was attenuated by caspase inhibitors, indicating that fucoidan-induced apoptosis was dependent on the activation of caspases. Furthermore, fucoidan treatment effectively activated the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, and significantly reduced fucoidan-induced apoptosis through inhibition of Bax translocation and caspases activation, suggesting that the activation of p38 MAPK may play a key role in fucoidan-induced apoptosis. In addition, the authors found fucoidan-induced significantly attenuated in Bcl-2 overexpressing U937 cells, and pretreatment with fucoidan and HA 14-1, a small-molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, markedly increased fucoidan-mediated apoptosis in Bcl-2 overexpressing U937 cells. Our findings imply that we may attribute some of the biological functions of p38 MAPK and Bcl-2 to their ability to inhibit fucoidan-induced apoptosis.

황금(黃芩) 에탄올 추출물에 의한 인체 신세포암 Caki-1 세포의 자가세포사멸 유도

꿀풀과(Labiatae)에 속하는 황금(黃芩, S. baicalensis)은 한국, 중국, 몽골 및 시베리아 동부 등지에 분포하는 여러해살이 초본식물로서 예로부터 민간처방 약재로 사용되었으며, 한방에서는 뿌리 말린 것을 이질, 발열 및 황달의 치료제로 사용되고 있다. 또한 최근 연구에 따르면 황금 추출물은 항염증, 항당뇨, 항균, 항알레르기, 항바이러스, 항고혈압, 항산화 및 항암 효능을 가지는 것으로 알려져 있으나 신세포암에서의 항암효능 및 분자생물학적 기전에 대해서는 명확히 밝혀져 있지 않다. 본 연구에서는 인체 신세포암 Caki-1 세포에서 황금 에탄올 추출물(ethanol extract of S. baicalensis, EESB)이 유발하는 항암효과 및 항암기전을 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 EESB 처리에 의한 Caki-1 세포의 증식억제는 apoptosis 유발과 밀접한 연관이 있었으며, 이는 DR4 Fas ligand 및 Bax 단백질의 발현 증가와 Bid, XIAP 및 cIAP-1의 발현 억제와 관련이 있었다. EESB는 또한 미토콘드리아의 기능 손상과 caspase-3의 기질단백질인 PARP, <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-catenin 및 <TEX>$PLC{\gamma}$</TEX>-1 단백질의 단편화를 유발하였다. 그러나 EESB 처리에 의하여 유발되었던 apoptosis가 pan-caspases inhibitor인 z-VED-fmk를 이용하여 caspases의 활성을 억제하였을 경우 현저하게 감소되어, EESB에 의한 apoptosis 과정에 caspase의 활성 증대가 중요한 역할을 한다는 것을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 결과들은 황금의 항암작용을 이해하는데 중요한 자료가 될 것이고 나아가 향후 수행될 추가 실험을 위한 기초 자료로서 그 가치가 매우 높을 것으로 생각된다. Scutellaria baicalensis, belonging to the family Labiatae, is widely distributed in Korea, China, Mongolia, and eastern Siberia. It has been used in traditional medicine for various diseases, such as dysentery, pyrexia, jaundice, and carbuncles. In addition, S. baicalensis is reported to possess various beneficial pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiviral, antihypertension, antioxidant, and anticancer effects. However, the molecular mechanisms of its anticancer activity have not been clearly elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the proapoptotic effects of ethanol extract of S. baicalensis (EESB) on human renal cell carcinoma Caki-1 cells. The anti-proliferative activity of EESB was associated with apoptosis induction, which was associated with the up-regulation of death receptor 4, the Fas ligand, and Bax and the down-regulation of Bid, XIAP, and cIAP-1 proteins. EESB treatment also induced mitochondrial dysfunction, proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9 and degradation of caspase-3 substrate proteins, such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, <TEX>${\beta}$</TEX>-catenin, and phospholipase C-<TEX>${\gamma}1$</TEX>. However, pretreatment of a pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk, significantly attenuated the EESB-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these findings suggest that EESB may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent. Further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anticancer activity of S. baicalensis.

도라지 유래 사포닌 platycodin D에 의한 인체 백혈병세포의 apoptosis 유도

Platycodin D는 도라지(Platycodon grandiflorum)의 뿌리인 길경(Platycodi Radix)에 함유된 은 triterpene saponin의 일종으로 다양한 약리효능이 있는 것으로 알려져 있다. 본 연구에서는 다양한 암세포 중 platycodin D의 항암활성 감수성이 가장 높았던 인체 혈구암 U937 세포를 대상으로 platycodin D 처리에 따른 apoptosis 유발기전에 대하여 조사하였다. 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 U937 세포에서 platycodin D 처리에 의한 증식억제는 apoptosis 유발과 밀접한 연관이 있음을 알 수 있었다. 이러한 platycodin D에 의한 apoptosis 유발은 pro-apoptotic Bax의 발현 증가와 연관된 미토콘드리아 막 전위의 소실 및 caspase-3의 활성화와 기질단백질들의 분해에 의한 것임을 알 수 있었으며, IAP family 인자들의 발현 감소가 caspase의 활성 증가에도 영향을 미친 것으로 추정된다. 또한 z-DEVD-fmk 선처리에 의하여 platycodin D에 의하여 유발된 apoptosis가 유의적으로 억제되었기에, platycodin D 처리에 의하여 유발되는 apoptosis는 미토콘드리아 경로에 의하여 조절되며, caspase-3의 활성화가 핵심적인 역할을 한 것으로 생각된다. Platycodin D is a major constituent of triterpene saponins, which is found in the root of Platycodon grandiflorum, Platycodi Radix, which is widely used in traditional Oriental medicine for the treatment of many chronic inflammatory diseases. Several pharmacological effects of this compound have been reported recently, such as anti-inflammation, immunogenicity, anti-adipogenesis, lowered cholesterol, and anti-cancer activity. However, the mechanism by which this action occurs is poorly understood. In this study, we found that platycodin D greatly increased the potential of the anti-proliferative effect in various cancer cell lines. Our data revealed that platycodin D treatment resulted in a time- and concentration-response growth inhibition of U937 cells by inducing apoptosis, as evidenced by the formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation, and the accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of U937 cells by platycodin D correlated with an increase in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caused the down-regulation of IAP family members. In addition, platycodin D treatment resulted in proteolytic activation of caspase-3, the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, and the collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential (<TEX>${\Delta}{\Psi}_m$</TEX>). However, the cytotoxic effects induced by platycodin D treatment were significantly inhibited by z-DEVD-fmk, a caspase-3 inhibitor, which demonstrated the important role that caspase-3 played in the observed cytotoxic effect. These findings suggest that platycodin D may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for use in the control of human leukemia U937 cells. These findings also provided important new insights into possible molecular mechanisms of the anti-cancer activity of platycodin D.

Apoptosis induction of human prostate carcinoma cells by cordycepin through reactive oxygen species-mediated mitochondrial death pathway

Cordycepin is the main functional component of Cordyceps militaris, which has been widely used in oriental traditional medicine. This compound has been shown to possess many pharmacological properties, such as enhancing the body's immune function, and anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and anticancer effects. In the present study, we investigated the apoptotic effects of cordycepin in human prostate carcinoma cells. We found that treatment with cordycepin significantly inhibited cell growth by inducing apoptosis in PC-3 cells. Apoptosis induction of PC-3 cells by cordycepin showed correlation with proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and -9, but not caspase-8, and concomitant degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases, collapse of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). In addition, cordycepin treatment resulted in an increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 (or Bcl-xL) ratio, downregulation of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members, Bax conformational changes, and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol. The cordycepin-induced apoptosis was also associated with the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the quenching of ROS generation with antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine conferred significant protection against cordycepin-elicited ROS generation, disruption of the MMP, modulation of Bcl-2 and IAP family proteins, caspase-3 and -9 activation and apoptosis. This indicates that the cellular ROS generation plays a pivotal role in the initiation of cordycepin-triggered apoptotic death. Collectively, our findings suggest that cordycepin is a potent inducer of apoptosis of prostate cancer cells via a mitochondrial-mediated intrinsic pathway and that this agent may be of value in the development of a potential therapeutic candidate for both the prevention and treatment of cancer.

Quercetin Induces Mitochondrial Mediated Apoptosis and Protective Autophagy in Human Glioblastoma U373MG Cells

Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid with known antitumor effects against several types of cancers by promoting apoptotic cell death and inducing cell cycle arrest. However, U373MG malignant glioma cells expressing mutant p53 are resistant to a 24 h quercetin treatment. In this study, the anticancer effect of quercetin was reevaluated in U373MG cells, and quercetin was found to be significantly effective in inhibiting proliferation of U373MG cells in a concentration-dependent manner after 48 and 72 h of incubation. Quercetin induced U373MG cell death through apoptosis, as evidenced by the increased number of cells in the sub-G1 phase, the appearance of fragmented nuclei, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and caspase-7, an increase in caspase-3 and 9 activities, and degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase protein. Furthermore, quercetin activated JNK and increased the expression of p53, which translocated to the mitochondria and simultaneously led to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to the cytosol. We also found that quercetin induced autophagy. Pretreatment with chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, strongly augmented apoptosis in U373MG cells, indicating that quercetin induced protective autopagy in U373MG cells.

Apoptosis induction of human leukemia U937 cells by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone hydrate through modulation of the Bcl-2 family of proteins and the MAPKs signaling pathway

The present study investigated possible mechanisms of apoptosis induction of U937 human leukemic cells by 7,8-dihydroxyflavone hydrate (7,8-DHF), a member of the flavonoid family and a recently identified tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) agonist. 7,8-DHF treatment of U937 cells resulted in inhibition of growth and induction of apoptosis as measured by MTT assay, fluorescence microscopy, DNA fragmentation, and flow cytometry analysis. 7,8-DHF-induced apoptosis in U937 cells was correlated with the up-regulation of death receptor related protein levels and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic IAP family proteins. The increase in apoptosis was also associated with proteolytic activation of caspases, Bid cleavage, insertion of pro-apoptotic Bax into the mitochondria and release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol. Furthermore, it was found that Bcl-2 overexpression markedly protected U937 cells from 7,8-DHF-induced apoptosis by restoring activation of caspases. In addition, 7,8-DHF treatment effectively activated the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and inhibitors of extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), but not p38 MAPK, which significantly reduced 7,8-DHF-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our results indicate that the JNK and ERK pathways, and modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins were key regulators of apoptosis in response to 7,8-DHF in U937 cells.

Apoptosis Induction of Human Prostate Carcinoma DU145 Cells by Diallyl Disulfide via Modulation of JNK and PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathways

Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a sulfur compound derived from garlic, has various biological properties, such as anticancer, antiangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanisms of action underlying the compound’s anticancer activity have not been fully elucidated. In this study, the apoptotic effects of DADS were investigated in DU145 human prostate carcinoma cells. Our results showed that DADS markedly inhibited the growth of the DU145 cells by induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis was accompanied by modulation of Bcl-2 and inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family proteins, depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) and proteolytic activation of caspases. We also found that the expression of death-receptor 4 (DR4) and Fas ligand (FasL) proteins was increased and that the level of intact Bid proteins was down-regulated by DADS. Moreover, treatment with DADS induced phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular-signal regulating kinase (ERK), p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). A specific JNK inhibitor, SP600125, significantly blocked DADS-induced-apoptosis, whereas inhibitors of the ERK (PD98059) and p38 MAPK (SB203580) had no effect. The induction of apoptosis was also accompanied by inactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and the PI3K inhibitor LY29004 significantly increased DADS-induced cell death. These findings provide evidence demonstrating that the proapoptotic effect of DADS is mediated through the activation of JNK and the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in DU145 cells.

BCDO2 acts as a carotenoid scavenger and gatekeeper for the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway

Carotenoids and their metabolites are widespread and exert key biological functions in living organisms. In vertebrates, the carotenoid oxygenase BCMO1 converts carotenoids such as β,β-carotene to retinoids, which are required for embryonic pattern formation and cell differentiation. Vertebrate genomes encode a structurally related protein named BCDO2 but its physiological function remains undefined. Here, we show that BCDO2 is expressed as an oxidative stress-regulated protein during zebrafish development. Targeted knockdown of this mitochondrial enzyme resulted in anemia at larval stages. Marker gene analysis and staining for hemoglobin revealed that erythropoiesis was not impaired but that erythrocytes underwent apoptosis in BCDO2-deficient larvae. To define the mechanism of this defect, we have analyzed the role of BCDO2 in human cell lines. We found that carotenoids caused oxidative stress in mitochondria that eventually led to cytochrome c release, proteolytic activation of caspase 3 and PARP1, and execution of the apoptotic pathway. Moreover, BCDO2 prevented this induction of the apoptotic pathway by carotenoids. Thus, our study identifying BCDO2 as a crucial protective component against oxidative stress establishes this enzyme as mitochondrial carotenoid scavenger and a gatekeeper of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway.

A549 인체 폐암세포에서 piceatannol에 의한 apoptosis 유발과 NO 생성의 억제

Piceatannol (trans-3,4,3',5'-tetrahydroxystilbene), a natural stilbene, is an analogue of resveratrol. Although recent experimental data have revealed the health benefit potency of piceatannol, the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-cancer activity have not yet been studied in detail. In the present study, the further possible mechanisms by which piceatannol exerts its pro-apoptotic action in cultured human lung cancer A549 cells were investigated. Exposure of A549 cells to piceatannol resulted in growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. Apoptosis induction of A549 cells by piceatannol showed correlation with proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8, and -9, and concomitant degradation of activated caspase-3 target proteins such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase, phospholipase C-γ1, β -catenin, and Inhibitor caspase-activated DNase. The increase in apoptosis by piceatannol treatment was also associated with an increase of pro-apoptotic Bax expression and decrease of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL expression, and caused down-regulation of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family members and up-regulation of Fas and Fas legend. In addition, piceatannol treatment markedly inhibited the expression of mRNA and proteins of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and the levels of NO production were progressively down-regulated by piceatannol treatment in a dose-dependent fashion. The results indicate that piceatannol may have therapeutic potential against human gastric cancer cells.

Induction of apoptosis by ethanolic extract of mango peel and comparative analysis of the chemical constitutes of mango peel and flesh

The underlying mechanisms of the anticancer activity of the ethanolic extract of mango peel (EEMP) and its constituents were investigated. EEMP induced death of human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells through apoptosis, as evidenced by the increased cell population in the sub-G1 phase and the appearance of fragmented nuclei. Treatment of the cells with EEMP also downregulated anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, resulting in the proteolytic activation of caspase-3, 7, 8, and 9 and the degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. The major components of mango peel were identified by liquid chromatography-electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our data suggest that EEMP is an excellent source of quercetin 3-O-galactoside, mangiferin gallate, isomangiferin gallate, quercetin-3-O-arabinopyranoside, and mangiferin along with unsaturated fatty acids oleic acid, linoleic acid, and ethyl linoleate, which may help to prevent cervical cancer and may be a useful agent for the treatment of some other malignancies.

Live and Let Die: A New Suicide Gene Therapy Moves to the Clinic

The concept of suicide gene therapy dates from the beginning of the field of gene therapy and was one of the first clinical applications. Initially described as an anticancer therapy, it quickly found a specific application in the practice of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. A recent publication by Di Stasi et al. presents the first clinical data on a relatively new suicide gene system that targets caspase 9–mediated apoptosis in an inducible fashion.1 Specifically, five children undergoing haplo-identical stem cell transplantation for leukemia received donor T lymphocytes that had been genetically engineered with the inducible caspase 9 (iCasp9) gene. Four of the five patients developed graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) caused by the donor lymphocytes that was quickly reversed by induction of the iCasp9 suicide gene. These results further validate the findings of others that suicide gene therapy for the control of GVHD is a valuable clinical procedure and, in the broader context, may have implications for a variety of other gene therapy applications in which a suicide safety switch may be useful.

Genipin, a constituent of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, induces apoptosis and inhibits invasion in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Genipin, a constituent of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, is used in the treatment of hepatic disorders and inflammatory diseases in traditional medicine. Although mounting evidence suggests an anti-tumor activity of genipin in several cancer cell systems, the inhibitory effect of genipin on the growth of breast cancer cells has not been reported yet. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative activity of genipin in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Herein, we showed that genipin efficiently induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells by the down-regulation of Bcl-2, up-regulation of Bax and proteolytic activation of caspase-3. Activation of JNK and p38 MAPK also increased by genipin. Importantly, genipin significantly inhibited invasive and migratory phenotypes of MDA-MB-231 cells. Taken together, this study demonstrates that genipin induces apoptosis and inhibits invasive/migratory abilities of highly invasive MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, suggesting a potential application of genipin as a chemopreventive agent that may prevent or alleviate metastatic breast cancer.

5-Phenylselenyl- and 5-methylselenyl-methyl-2′-deoxyuridine induce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and caspase-2-dependent apoptosis in cancer cells

In the present study, we investigated the signaling pathways implicated in the induction of apoptosis by two modified nucleosides, 5-phenylselenyl-methyl-2'-deoxyuridine (PhSe-T) and 5-methylselenyl-methyl-2'-deoxyuridine (MeSe-T), using human cancer cell lines. The induction of apoptosis was associated with proteolytic activation of caspase-3 and -9, PARP cleavage, and decreased levels of IAP family members, including c-IAP-1 and c-IAP-2, but had no effect on XIAP and survivin. PhSe-T and MeSe-T also enhanced the activities of caspase-2 and -8, Bid cleavage, and the conformational activation of Bax. Additionally, nucleoside derivative-induced apoptosis was inhibited by the selective inhibitors of caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9 and also by si-RNAs against caspase-2, -3, -8, and -9; however, inhibition of caspase-2 and -3 was more effective at preventing apoptosis than inhibition of caspase-8 and -9. Moreover, the inhibition of caspase-2 activation by the pharmacological inhibitor z-VDVAD-fmk or by the knockdown of protein expression using siRNA suppressed nucleoside derivative-induced caspase-3 activation, but not vice versa. PhSe-T and MeSe-T also induced a Δψ(m) loss via a CsA-insensitive mechanism, ROS production, and DNA damage, including strand breaks. Moreover, ROS scavengers such as NAC, tiron, and quercetin inhibited nucleoside derivative-induced ROS generation and apoptosis by blocking the sequential activation of caspase-2 and -3, indicating the role of ROS in caspase-2-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, these results indicate that caspase-2 acts upstream of caspase-3 and that caspase-2 functions in response to DNA damage in both PhSe-T- and MeSe-T-induced apoptosis. Our results also suggest that ROS are critical regulators of the sequential activation of caspase-2 and -3 in nucleoside derivative-treated cancer cells.

The histone deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin A, induces G2/M phase arrest and apoptosis in YD-10B oral squamous carcinoma cells

Histone acetylation is one of the key chromatin modifications that control gene transcription during development and tumorigenesis. Recently, it was reported that the histone deacetylase inhibitor, Trichostatin A (TSA), induces growth arrest and apoptosis in tumors. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for its antitumor effects are not clear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of TSA on human oral squamous carcinoma cells and to determine the mechanisms underlying the antitumor activity of TSA. MTT assays showed that TSA inhibited cell proliferation in YD-10B cells. TSA also effectively arrested cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase through the up-regulation of p21waf expression, down-regulation of CyclinB1 and reduction of the inhibitory phophorylation of Cdc2. In addition, mitochondrial membrane destruction was induced by a 48 h TSA treatment. TSA also induced cytochrome c release and proteolytic activation of caspase3 and caspase7 in YD-10B cells. Taken together, these observations in YD-10B oral cancer cells reveal the potential value of TSA in inhibiting oral tumor growth.

Bufalin induces apoptosis through activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways in human bladder cancer cells

Bufalin, a major digoxin-like immunoreactive component of the Chinese medicine Chansu, is prepared from toad venom. This compound has been shown to exert a potential for anticancer activity against various human cancer cell lines invitro. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of its induction of apoptosis are still unclear. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis-inducing effect of bufalin in T24 human bladder cancer cells. Our data revealed that bufalin treatment resulted in a concentration-response growth inhibition of T24 cells by inducing cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase and apoptosis, as evidenced by formation of apoptotic bodies, chromatin condensation and accumulation of cells in the sub-G1 phase. Apoptosis induction of T24 cells by bufalin showed correlation with proteolytic activation of caspase-3, -8 and -9, and concomitant degradation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases, and collapse of the mitochondria membrane potential. In addition, bufalin treatment resulted in an increase of the Bax/Bcl-2 (or Bcl-xL) ratio and caused down-regulation of inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family members. The increase in apoptosis by bufalin treatment was also associated with up-regulation of death receptor-related factors. Our data indicate that the growth inhibitory effects of bufalin occur through blockade of the G2/M phase, and that these cancer cells do not enter cell cycle progression and die through apoptosis via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.

Trilinolein Inhibits Proliferation of Human Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma A549 Through the Modulation of PI3K/Akt Pathway

Trilinolein has been identified as one of the active constituents isolated from Panax notoginseng used widely in traditional Chinese medicine. Protective actions of Panax notoginseng against cerebral ischemia, beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, and hemostatic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, renoprotective and estrogen-like activities have been illustrated. In the present study, the effects of trilinolein on the growth of non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 were investigated. It was found that the exposure of A549 cells to trilinolein resulted in the growth inhibition and the induction of apoptosis in a dose- and time- dependent manner. Trilinolein treatment induced the upregulation of pro-apoptotic Bax, downregulation of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression, which was associated with the proteolytic activation of caspases and the concomitant degradation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) protein. Intracellular reactive oxygen species seem to play a role in the trilinolein-induced apoptosis, since ROS were produced early in the trilinolein treatment. Moreover, the activity of PI3K/Akt was downregulated in trilinolein-treated cells. Our results demonstrated that the most important regulators of trilinolein-induced apoptosis are Bcl-2 family and caspase-3, which are associated with cytochrome c release and dephosphorylation on the Akt signaling pathway.

13-Methyltetradecanoic acid induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells

13-Methyltetradecanoic acid (13-MTD), a saturated branched-chain fatty acid purified from soy fermentation products, is known to induce apoptosis in many types of human cancer cells. This study was designed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved in 13-MTD-induced apoptosis in human bladder cancer cells. MTT assay was used to investigate the potential effects of 13-MTD on the growth and viability of human bladder cancer cells. To find out whether anti-proliferation and cell death were associated with apoptosis, we used flow cytometry to quantify the extent of apoptosis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay to measures DNA degradation of apoptotic cells. The proteins involved in the 13-MTD induced apoptosis were examined using Western blot. We show that 13-MTD inhibits cellular proliferation and viability in human bladder cancer cells, which has been attributed to apoptosis. 13-MTD down-regulates Bcl-2 and up-regulates Bax. This promotes mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, as well as the proteolytic activation of caspases. Moreover, 13-MTD down-regulates AKT phosphorylation and activates phosphorylation of p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Up-regulating AKT phosphorylation and down-regulating JNK and P38 phosphorylation could attenuate the13-MTD-induced apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that 13-MTD induces mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis through regulation of the AKT and MAPK pathways, suggesting 13-MTD is a potential candidate for treatment of human bladder cancer.