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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Through the Looking Glass: Time-lapse Microscopy and Longitudinal Tracking of Single Cells to Study Anti-cancer Therapeutics
06:00

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Cell-cycle specificity of sulforaphane-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat T-leukemia cells

Carmela Fimognari1, Monia Lenzi, Davide Sciuscio

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 48, 40126 Bologna, Italy. carmela.fimognari@unibo.it

In Vivo (Athens, Greece)
|April 18, 2007
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Sulforaphane (SFN), a compound found in vegetables, induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Its effectiveness varies with the cell cycle, with cells being most sensitive in the G1-phase.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Sulforaphane (SFN) is a naturally occurring isothiocyanate found in cruciferous vegetables.
  • Previous research indicates SFN possesses chemopreventive properties against carcinogen-induced cancers in rodents.
  • Emerging evidence shows SFN inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in various cancer cell lines.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cell-cycle specificity of sulforaphane-induced apoptosis.
  • To determine if cancer cell sensitivity to SFN varies across different phases of the cell cycle.

Main Methods:

  • Cell synchronization was achieved using a thymidine block.
  • Flow cytometry was employed to analyze cell-cycle distribution and apoptosis induction.

Main Results:

  • Cells synchronized by thymidine block exhibited maximal sensitivity to SFN-induced apoptosis during the G1-phase.
  • Sensitivity decreased in the G2/M-phase and was lowest during the S-phase.

Conclusions:

  • Cancer cell vulnerability to SFN-mediated apoptosis is regulated by cell-cycle-dependent mechanisms.
  • These findings highlight the importance of cell-cycle phase in SFN's apoptotic effects.

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