Effect of Her-2/neu Signaling on Sensitivity to TRAIL in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been shown to be selective in the induction of apoptosis in cancer cells with minimal toxicity to normal tissues. However, not all cancers are sensitive to TRAIL- mediated apoptosis. Thus, TRAIL-resistant cancer cells must be sensitized first to become responsive to TRAIL. In this study, we observed that pretreatment of acetyl salicylic acid (ASA) augmented TRAIL-induced apoptotic death in human prostate adenocarcinoma LNCaP and human colorectal carcinoma CX-1 cells. Western blot analysis showed that pretreatment of ASA followed by TRAIL treatment activated caspases (8, 9, and 3) and cleaved PARP (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase), the hallmark feature of apoptosis. Interestingly, at least 12 h of pretreatment with ASA was prerequisite for promoting TRAlL-induced apoptosis and was related to downregulation of Bcl-2. Biochemical analysis revealed that ASA inhibited NF- B activity, which is known to regulate Bcl-2 gene expression, by dephosphorylating I B- and inhibiting IKK activity, but not by affecting the HER-2-PI3K-Akt signal pathway. Overexpression of Bcl-2 suppressed the promotive effect of ASA on TRAIL-induced apoptosis and changes in mitochondrial memembrane potential. Taken together, our studies suggest that ASA-promoted TRAIL cytotoxicity is mediated through downregulating Bcl-2 and decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA443085

Entities

People

  • Yong J Lee

Organizations

  • University of Pittsburgh

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Apoptosis
  • Blood
  • Cancer
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Cellular Structures
  • Chemistry
  • Gene Expression
  • Intracellular Membranes
  • Lymphocytes
  • Membrane Potentials
  • Neoplasms
  • Peptide Growth Factors
  • Programmed Cell Death
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Proteins

Fields of Study

  • Biology
  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Cellular and Molecular Pathways of Apoptosis.
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics