Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 20, 2026

Caspase-3 Activity in the Rat Amygdala Measured by Spectrofluorometry After Myocardial Infarction
08:41

Caspase-3 Activity in the Rat Amygdala Measured by Spectrofluorometry After Myocardial Infarction

Published on: January 12, 2016

[The variation of Caspase3 activity in tanshinone induced NB4 cells apoptosis]

Xiaogong Liang1, Yiming Yang, Chengqi Deng

  • 1Department of Hematology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.

Sichuan Da Xue Xue Bao. Yi Xue Ban = Journal of Sichuan University. Medical Science Edition
|August 13, 2003
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Tanshinone (Tan II A) induces apoptosis in NB4 cells by increasing Caspase3 activity. This Caspase3 activation is crucial for the observed cell death, highlighting its role in Tanshinone-induced apoptosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Apoptosis is a critical process in cell death.
  • Tanshinone (Tan II A) is a compound with potential therapeutic applications.
  • NB4 cells are a human promyelocytic leukemia cell line.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Caspase3 activity in Tanshinone (Tan II A)-induced apoptosis of NB4 cells.
  • To quantify the changes in Caspase3 activity during this process.

Main Methods:

  • NB4 cell apoptosis was induced using Tanshinone (Tan II A).
  • Apoptosis was assessed via cell morphology, DNA content analysis, and DNA fragmentation assays.
  • Caspase3 activity was measured using spectrofluorometry and inhibited with AC-DEVD-CHO.

Main Results:

  • Tanshinone (Tan II A) treatment led to increased Caspase3 activity in NB4 cells.
  • The induction of apoptosis by Tan II A was partially suppressed by the Caspase3 inhibitor AC-DEVD-CHO.
  • Morphological changes, DNA content alterations, and fragmentation confirmed apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Caspase3 activation is a key mechanism in Tanshinone (Tan II A)-induced NB4 cell apoptosis.
  • Targeting Caspase3 may be a viable strategy for modulating Tanshinone's effects on leukemia cells.

More Related Videos

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries08:49

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries

Published on: January 22, 2019

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry05:29

Measuring Caspase Activity Using a Fluorometric Assay or Flow Cytometry

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Caspases01:24

Caspases

Caspase, a family of cysteine proteases, serve as effectors in apoptosis. The ced3 gene in C.elegans was first identified to be involved in apoptosis. This gene encodes the ced-3 caspase that is similar to the interleukin-1-beta converting enzyme or ICE in mammals. In addition to apoptosis, caspases also function in the inflammatory response. Inflammatory caspases are essential in activating pro-inflammatory cytokines that recruit immune cells and block the replication of pathogens inside cells.
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy01:22

Cellular Injury V: Apoptosis and Autophagy

Cells respond to damage and stress through highly coordinated processes that decide whether they survive or undergo controlled self-destruction. Two major pathways involved in this regulation are apoptosis, a type of programmed cell death, and autophagy, a survival mechanism that helps cells adapt to adverse conditions.ApoptosisApoptosis removes aged or injured cells to maintain tissue balance. During this process, the cell shrinks, chromatin condenses and fragments, and membrane-bound...