8-Methoxypsoralen Induces Intrinsic Apoptosis in HepG2 Cells: Involvement of Reactive Oxygen Species Generation and ERK1/2 Pathway Inhibition. 2015

Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
Research Center of Biotechnology, School of Life Science and Technology, Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

OBJECTIVE 8-Methoxypsoralen (8-MOP), a formerly considered photosensitizing agent, induces apoptosis when used alone. On this basis, the present study was designed to explore the effects and mechanisms of 8-MOP-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells, independent of its photoactivation. METHODS We analyzed the cell viability with MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to examine the apoptosis rate, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation after specific staining. The expression and location of apoptosis-associated protein as well as the activation status of cell signaling pathway were determined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS 8-MOP significantly decreased cell viability and induced cell apoptosis through mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as demonstrated by increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, collapsed MMP, and induced cytochrome c release (Cyt c) and apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) transposition. ROS generation was significantly increased by 8-MOP and the eradication of ROS significantly abolished 8-MOP-induced apoptosis. In addition, the activation of ERK1/2 was drastically decreased by 8-MOP as ERK inhibitor PD98059, indicating a role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway in 8-MOP-induced cell apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS 8-MOP induces intrinsic apoptosis by increasing ROS generation and inhibiting ERK1/2 pathway in HepG2 cells. The findings are important in substantiating the anti-tumor role of 8-MOP in cancer therapy.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008113 Liver Neoplasms Tumors or cancer of the LIVER. Cancer of Liver,Hepatic Cancer,Liver Cancer,Cancer of the Liver,Cancer, Hepatocellular,Hepatic Neoplasms,Hepatocellular Cancer,Neoplasms, Hepatic,Neoplasms, Liver,Cancer, Hepatic,Cancer, Liver,Cancers, Hepatic,Cancers, Hepatocellular,Cancers, Liver,Hepatic Cancers,Hepatic Neoplasm,Hepatocellular Cancers,Liver Cancers,Liver Neoplasm,Neoplasm, Hepatic,Neoplasm, Liver
D008730 Methoxsalen A naturally occurring furocoumarin compound found in several species of plants, including Psoralea corylifolia. It is a photoactive substance that forms DNA ADDUCTS in the presence of ultraviolet A irradiation. 8-Methoxypsoralen,Ammoidin,Xanthotoxin,8-MOP,Deltasoralen,Dermox,Geroxalen,Meladinina,Meladinine,Meloxine,Methoxa-Dome,Méladinine,Oxsoralen,Oxsoralen-Ultra,Puvalen,Ultramop,8 MOP,8 Methoxypsoralen,8MOP,Methoxa Dome,Oxsoralen Ultra
D008928 Mitochondria Semiautonomous, self-reproducing organelles that occur in the cytoplasm of all cells of most, but not all, eukaryotes. Each mitochondrion is surrounded by a double limiting membrane. The inner membrane is highly invaginated, and its projections are called cristae. Mitochondria are the sites of the reactions of oxidative phosphorylation, which result in the formation of ATP. They contain distinctive RIBOSOMES, transfer RNAs (RNA, TRANSFER); AMINO ACYL T RNA SYNTHETASES; and elongation and termination factors. Mitochondria depend upon genes within the nucleus of the cells in which they reside for many essential messenger RNAs (RNA, MESSENGER). Mitochondria are believed to have arisen from aerobic bacteria that established a symbiotic relationship with primitive protoeukaryotes. (King & Stansfield, A Dictionary of Genetics, 4th ed) Mitochondrial Contraction,Mitochondrion,Contraction, Mitochondrial,Contractions, Mitochondrial,Mitochondrial Contractions
D002470 Cell Survival The span of viability of a cell characterized by the capacity to perform certain functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, some form of responsiveness, and adaptability. Cell Viability,Cell Viabilities,Survival, Cell,Viabilities, Cell,Viability, Cell
D006528 Carcinoma, Hepatocellular A primary malignant neoplasm of epithelial liver cells. It ranges from a well-differentiated tumor with EPITHELIAL CELLS indistinguishable from normal HEPATOCYTES to a poorly differentiated neoplasm. The cells may be uniform or markedly pleomorphic, or form GIANT CELLS. Several classification schemes have been suggested. Hepatocellular Carcinoma,Hepatoma,Liver Cancer, Adult,Liver Cell Carcinoma,Liver Cell Carcinoma, Adult,Adult Liver Cancer,Adult Liver Cancers,Cancer, Adult Liver,Cancers, Adult Liver,Carcinoma, Liver Cell,Carcinomas, Hepatocellular,Carcinomas, Liver Cell,Cell Carcinoma, Liver,Cell Carcinomas, Liver,Hepatocellular Carcinomas,Hepatomas,Liver Cancers, Adult,Liver Cell Carcinomas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D015398 Signal Transduction The intracellular transfer of information (biological activation/inhibition) through a signal pathway. In each signal transduction system, an activation/inhibition signal from a biologically active molecule (hormone, neurotransmitter) is mediated via the coupling of a receptor/enzyme to a second messenger system or to an ion channel. Signal transduction plays an important role in activating cellular functions, cell differentiation, and cell proliferation. Examples of signal transduction systems are the GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID-postsynaptic receptor-calcium ion channel system, the receptor-mediated T-cell activation pathway, and the receptor-mediated activation of phospholipases. Those coupled to membrane depolarization or intracellular release of calcium include the receptor-mediated activation of cytotoxic functions in granulocytes and the synaptic potentiation of protein kinase activation. Some signal transduction pathways may be part of larger signal transduction pathways; for example, protein kinase activation is part of the platelet activation signal pathway. Cell Signaling,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Pathways,Receptor Mediated Signal Transduction,Signal Transduction Pathways,Signal Transduction Systems,Pathway, Signal,Pathway, Signal Transduction,Pathways, Signal,Pathways, Signal Transduction,Receptor-Mediated Signal Transductions,Signal Pathway,Signal Transduction Pathway,Signal Transduction System,Signal Transduction, Receptor-Mediated,Signal Transductions,Signal Transductions, Receptor-Mediated,System, Signal Transduction,Systems, Signal Transduction,Transduction, Signal,Transductions, Signal
D017209 Apoptosis A regulated cell death mechanism characterized by distinctive morphologic changes in the nucleus and cytoplasm, including the endonucleolytic cleavage of genomic DNA, at regularly spaced, internucleosomal sites, i.e., DNA FRAGMENTATION. It is genetically programmed and serves as a balance to mitosis in regulating the size of animal tissues and in mediating pathologic processes associated with tumor growth. Apoptosis, Extrinsic Pathway,Apoptosis, Intrinsic Pathway,Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis,Classic Apoptosis,Classical Apoptosis,Programmed Cell Death,Programmed Cell Death, Type I,Apoptoses, Extrinsic Pathway,Apoptoses, Intrinsic Pathway,Apoptosis, Caspase-Dependent,Apoptosis, Classic,Apoptosis, Classical,Caspase Dependent Apoptosis,Cell Death, Programmed,Classic Apoptoses,Extrinsic Pathway Apoptoses,Extrinsic Pathway Apoptosis,Intrinsic Pathway Apoptoses,Intrinsic Pathway Apoptosis
D017382 Reactive Oxygen Species Molecules or ions formed by the incomplete one-electron reduction of oxygen. These reactive oxygen intermediates include SINGLET OXYGEN; SUPEROXIDES; PEROXIDES; HYDROXYL RADICAL; and HYPOCHLOROUS ACID. They contribute to the microbicidal activity of PHAGOCYTES, regulation of SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION and GENE EXPRESSION, and the oxidative damage to NUCLEIC ACIDS; PROTEINS; and LIPIDS. Active Oxygen Species,Oxygen Radical,Oxygen Radicals,Pro-Oxidant,Reactive Oxygen Intermediates,Active Oxygen,Oxygen Species, Reactive,Pro-Oxidants,Oxygen, Active,Pro Oxidant,Pro Oxidants,Radical, Oxygen
D045304 Cytochromes c Cytochromes of the c type that are found in eukaryotic MITOCHONDRIA. They serve as redox intermediates that accept electrons from MITOCHONDRIAL ELECTRON TRANSPORT COMPLEX III and transfer them to MITOCHONDRIAL ELECTRON TRANSPORT COMPLEX IV. Cytochrome c,Ferricytochrome c,Ferrocytochrome c,Apocytochrome C

Related Publications

Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
January 2013, Food chemistry,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
January 2012, Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
March 2013, Molecular medicine reports,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
October 2018, Science China. Life sciences,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
May 2019, Scientific reports,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
September 2016, Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
October 2013, Molecular medicine reports,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
January 2012, Molecular medicine reports,
Huan Yang, and Jing Xiong, and Wenjing Luo, and Jian Yang, and Tao Xi
January 2015, Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association,
Copied contents to your clipboard!