Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UNIPROT:P42574 (caspase-3)
 45,978 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The proapoptotic effect of cisplatin bile acid derivatives Bamet-R2 [cis-diamminechloro-cholylglycinate-platinum(II)] and Bamet-UD2 [cis-diammine-bisursodeoxycholate-platinum(II)], developed to treat liver and intestinal tumors, was investigated in vitro using human enterohepatic cells HepG2 (hepatoblastoma), LS 174T (colon adenocarcinoma), and its cisplatin-resistant subline LS 174T/R. Uptake by wild-type tumor cells was higher for Bamets than for cisplatin. In LS 174T/R cells, copper transporter-1 was down-regulated and multidrug resistance-associated protein-2 was up-regulated. Consequently, uptake and efflux of cisplatin, but not those of Bamets, were reduced and increased, respectively. The degree of necrosis (lactate dehydrogenase release) induced by these three drugs was small and similar in all cell types. In contrast, proapoptotic effect (caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation) was Bamet-UD2 > cisplatin > Bamet-R2 in HepG2 and LS 174T cells, but Bamet-UD2 > Bamet-R2 >> cisplatin in LS 174T/R cells. This effect was consistent with the ability of these compounds to form DNA-adducts (DNA-platination, changes in the DNA melting temperature, and MspI-induced restriction sequence cleavage). Oral administration of Bamet-UD2 to mice induced mild apoptosis in the small intestine (ileum > duodenum), which was not severe enough to modify its structure or function as determined by water absorption and glycocholic acid uptake by in situ perfused ileum. These results indicate that Bamet-UD2 overcomes the resistance to cisplatin when this is due in part to enhanced ability of intestinal tumors to reduce intracellular cisplatin contents. Moreover, its strong proapoptotic versus its weak pronecrotic effect together with its mild effect on normal tissues, including intestinal mucosa, may account for the high antitumor activity of Bamet-UD2 together with its very low toxicity.
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PMID:Proapoptotic effect on normal and tumor intestinal cells of cytostatic drugs with enterohepatic organotropism. 1598 17

The possible antiproliferative and apoptotic inducing potentials of fresh juice prepared from Scutellaria barbata (SBJ) and warmed water extract of Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis (RSTE) have been tested on a series of cancer cell lines, including HepG2 hepatoblastoma, Hep3B hepatocellular carcinoma, MDA-MB231 breast carcinoma, A549 lung cancer and KG-1 acute myelogenous leukaemia in vitro. Both SBJ and RSTE were able to inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines and induce apoptosis. Further analysis of the action of RSTE on HepG2 cells suggested that the activity of the central machinery of apoptosis, caspase 3, was significantly elevated. Oligo-nucleosomal length DNA fragments formation was readily detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labelling assay after RSTE treatment. Taken together, we believe that, although Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis was demonstrated to have toxic components including matrine and oxymatrine, it is still worthwhile to further investigate its anti-cancer potential under a safety toxicological precaution.
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PMID:Activities of fresh juice of Scutellaria barbata and warmed water extract of Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis on anti-proliferation and apoptosis of human cancer cell lines. 1601 72

The anomalous fruit extract of Gleditsia sinensis (GSE) was shown to possess anticancer potential on various solid tumour and leukaemia cell lines in vitro. We have recently demonstrated that the mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic pathway including mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, changes in the level of reactive oxygen species and activation of caspase 3 were recruited in GSE-induced apoptosis. Whether receptor-dependent APO-1/Fas apoptotic pathway is also involved remains uncertain. Using two solid tumour cell lines, the HepG2 hepatoblastoma carcinoma cells and MDA-MB231 breast cancer cells, we demonstrated that the Fas ligand and Fas receptor protein levels did not have significant variation after GSE incubation. Caspase 8 activity increased only weakly when compared with that of caspase 3. The chrymotrypsin-like activity of proteasome was partially inhibited up to 30-40% when compared with the untreated control. Taken together, we believe that GSE- mediated apoptosis on HepG2 and MDA-MB231 carcinoma cells is mainly dictated by the mitochondrial-dependent pathway while inhibition of proteasome activity may also be involved in GSE-induced apoptosis.
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PMID:Inhibition of proteasome activity in Gleditsia sinensis fruit extract-mediated apoptosis on human carcinoma cells. 1621 Dec 65

Flavonoids are one of the biologically active plant food constituents, possessing potential chemopreventive properties against a wide variety of chronic diseases. Apigenin, a common dietary flavonoid abundantly present in fruits and vegetables is believed to possess preventive and therapeutic potential against various cancers. In the present study, we have evaluated regulation of apoptotic cell death by apigenin (25 and 50 microM) in human hepatoblastoma derived cell line Hep G2. Apigenin-induced programme cell death in terms of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma release and induction of caspases activity. TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels in apigenin-pretreated groups were significantly and dose dependently elevated as compared to the control values (28-39% and 66-85%), (208-336% and 579-1088%), respectively. Treatment of apigenin significantly induced caspase-3, -7, -10 and caspase-9 activity (160-209% and 203-270%) in a dose-dependent manner. The effects on caspases, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma processes mediate the plausible mechanism of apoptosis induction of apigenin.
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PMID:Apigenin induces apoptosis in Hep G2 cells: possible role of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. 1628 92

To investigate the changes in drug sensitivity of Bcl-2 siRNA transfected HepG2 cells. Bcl-2 siRNA and negative siRNA expression vector were constructed and stably transfected into HepG2 cells. RT-PCR and Immunofluorescence were used to detect the target gene expression. Western Blotting was used to detect Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3 protein expressiom. Drug sensitivity of the cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) were analyzed with MTT and flow cytometry. Results were following: (1) the mRNA and protein expression level of Bcl-2 in Bcl-2 siRNA stable transfectants were reduced compared with negative siRNA transfected or untreated cells. Accordingly, Bax protein expression had no change and caspase-3 protein expression showed significantly be up regulated; (2) MTT results showed that Bcl-2 siRNA transfectants had higher cell inhibitory rates after treated with 5-FU or HCPT; (3) flow cytometry results demonstrated that sub G1 population increased in Bcl-2 siRNA transfected cells compared with negative siRNA or untreated cells. After addition 5-FU (1300 mg/l) and HCPT (0.72 mg/l), Bcl-2 siRNA cells showed higher sub G1 population than negative siRNA or untreated cells. siRNA targeting Bcl-2 gene can specifically down-regulate Bcl-2 expression, increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio expression and caspase-3 activity in HepG2 cells, which lead to increase cells spontaneous apoptosis and sensitize cells to 5-FU or HCPT. Bcl-2 siRNA may be a potential therapy agent against human hepatoblastoma.
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PMID:Bcl-2 siRNA induced apoptosis and increased sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil and HCPT in HepG2 cells. 1660 48

High glutathione (GSH) level and elevated gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gammaGT) activity are hallmarks of tumor cells. Toxicity of drugs and radiation to the cells is largely dependent on the level of thiols. In the present studies, we attempted to inhibit gammaGT activity in human hepatoblastoma (HepG2) cells to examine whether the administration of gammaGT inhibitors, acivicin (AC) and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) influences cell proliferation and enhances cytostatic action of doxorubicin (DOX) and cisplatin (CP) on HepG2 cells. The effects of these inhibitors were determined by 1-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3,5-diphenylformazan (MTT), BrdU and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tests and by estimation of GSH level. Additionally, we investigated the changes in caspase-3 activity, which is a marker of apoptosis. The obtained results showed that the gammaGT inhibitors introduced to the medium alone elicited cytotoxic effect, which was accompanied by an increase in GSH level in the cells. TIQ concomitantly increased caspase-3 activity. Doxorubicin and CP proved to be cytotoxic, and both inhibitors augmented this effect. As well DOX as CP radically decreased GSH levels, whereas gammaGT inhibitors had diverse effects. Therefore, the obtained results confirm that gammaGT inhibitors can enhance pharmacological action of DOX and CP, which may permit clinicians to decrease their doses thereby alleviating side effects. Aminoguanidine (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) given alone was little cytotoxic to HepG2 cells, while its introduction to the medium together with DOX and CP significantly increased their cytotoxicity. Aminoguanidine on its own did not show any effect on GSH level in HepG2 cells, but markedly and significantly elevated its concentration when added in combination with CP but not with DOX. This indicates that when CP was used as a cytostatic, GSH level rose after treatment with its combination with both AC and aminoguanidine.
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PMID:The effect of modulation of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase and nitric oxide synthase activity on GSH homeostasis in HepG2 cells. 1722 50

1. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity of HepG2 cells transfected with Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl siRNA expression vectors. 2. Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl siRNA and negative siRNA expression vectors were constructed and stably transfected into HepG2 cells. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the target gene expression, and the Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, Bax and caspase-3 protein levels were measured using western blots and immunofluorescence. The sensitivity of the cells to the chemotherapeutic drugs 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 10-hydroxycamptothecin (HCPT) was analysed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazoliumbromide (MTT) and flow cytometry. 3. The Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl gene expression and corresponding protein levels in Bcl-2 siRNA, Bcl-xl siRNA and Bcl-2/Bcl-xl siRNA transfected cells were reduced compared with negative siRNA transfected or untreated cells. The Bax protein level remained unaltered but the caspase-3 level was enhanced when Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl protein levels were reduced. The MTT results demonstrated that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl transfected cells exhibited increased sensitivity to 5-FU or HCPT. Flow cytometry demonstrated that the sub G1 cell population increased in Bcl-2/Bcl-xl siRNA co-transfected and Bcl-xl siRNA and Bcl-2 siRNA transfected cells when compared with negative siRNA or untreated cells. The latter trend was strengthened further in the presence of 5-FU or HCPT. 4. Thus, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl siRNA-mediated gene silencing, in combination with chemotherapy, may be a potential therapeutic strategy against human hepatoblastoma.
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PMID:siRNA-mediated Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl gene silencing sensitizes human hepatoblastoma cells to chemotherapeutic drugs. 1743 14

The objectives of this study were twofold: (i) to determine the mechanism(s) of Senecio-induced toxicity in human hepatoblastoma cells (HepG2) in vitro and whether such toxicity could be prevented using N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC), and (ii) to evaluate whether caspases are involved in Senecio-induced apoptosis. Cells were treated with aqueous extracts of Senecio (10 mg x mL-1) with and without NAC. Cytotoxicity was determined by using the MTT assay. Total glutathione (GSH) was measured by using the Tietze assay. Cells were also treated with aqueous extracts of Senecio in the presence or absence of 50 micromol/L caspase-3 inhibitor (IDN) for 24 h. Apoptosis was determined by transmission electron microscopy, and DNA fragmentation was determined by ELISA and terminal dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL). Senecio produced cytotoxicity and depleted GSH in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. A significant depletion in GSH was observed after 15 min (p < 0.001 vs. control), whereas significant cytotoxicity was only observed after 3 h (p < 0.001 vs. control). Treatment with NAC prevented Senecio-induced GSH depletion and resulted in a significant decrease in Senecio-induced cytotoxicity (p < 0.001 vs. NAC-untreated cells). Treatment with Senecio for 24 h resulted in 22% +/- 2.5% (p < 0.001) apoptosis (vs. control). Pretreatment with 50 mumol caspase inhibitor reduced Senecio-induced apoptosis significantly (vs. non-exposed to IDN) (12% +/- 1.5%; p < 0.05). Our results suggest the mechanism of Senecio-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells in vitro involves depletion of cellular GSH. Cytotoxicity is reduced by supplementation with NAC, which thus prevents GSH depletion. Caspase activation is involved in Senecio-induced apoptosis.
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PMID:Senecio latifolius induces in vitro hepatocytotoxicity in a human cell line. 1806 8

Frizzled (Fz), a receptor of Wnt ligands, plays key roles in liver carcinogenesis. Its expression was analyzed as part of a search for a target of molecular therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and hepatoblastoma (HB). Fz genes were analyzed by RT-PCR in HCC cell lines HLE, HLF, PLC/PRF/5, Huh-7 and Hep3B, HB cell lines Huh-6 and HepG2, HeLa cells, human normal fetal and adult liver. We transfected PLC/PRF/5, HLE, Huh-6, and HeLa cells with Fz9-small interfering RNA (Fz9-siRNA). Five days after transfection, cell proliferation was analyzed by MTS assay and cell motility by wound assay with H&E staining. Subsequently, the expressions of cyclin D1 and caspase-3 were analyzed by Western blot analysis. Fz9-siRNA decreased the expression of Fz9 gene in all cell lines. MTS assay showed that Fz9-siRNA significantly suppressed cell proliferation and cell motility in all cell lines. The expression of cyclin D1 was also suppressed by Western blotting. Cleaved caspase-3 did not appear and apoptosis was not observed in any of the cell lines tested. We demonstrated that Fz9 plays an essential role in carcinogenesis of HB and HCC, concluding that Fz9-siRNA could represent a useful therapeutic target for HB and HCC.
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PMID:SiRNA of frizzled-9 suppresses proliferation and motility of hepatoma cells. 1972 23

Hepatoblastoma (HB) represents the most common malignant liver tumor in children with a dismal prognosis for patients with advanced disease. This study provides evidence that the naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoid betulinic acid (BA) is highly effective against HB. We demonstrate that BA has a strong cytotoxic effect on HB cells in a dose-dependent manner by impinging on cell viability and causing massive induction of programmed cell death. Apoptotic features including morphological changes, membrane asymmetry and proteolytic cleavage of caspase 3 and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase were frequently found in BA-treated HB cells, which is suggestive of the mitochondrial intrinsic apoptotic pathway. In contrast, the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line HepG2 was resistant to BA treatment. This insensitivity was dependent on the high expression of survival factors, such as Survivin and BCL2. Interestingly, BA treatment led to a significant decrease in expression of the hedgehog target genes GLI1, PTCH1 and IGF2 in HepT3 cells. In conclusion, we demonstrate that BA is capable of inducing apoptosis in HB cells and thereby might be a hopeful new strategy for treating HB, especially those with an activated hedgehog signaling pathway.
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PMID:Betulinic acid treatment promotes apoptosis in hepatoblastoma cells. 1972 25


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