Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026
Detection of Mitochondria Membrane Potential to Study CLIC4 Knockdown-induced HN4 Cell Apoptosis In Vitro
Published on: July 17, 2018
Baicalein induces apoptosis in SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells via a Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial pathway
Yuh-Tzy Lin1, Jai-Sing Yang, Hui-Ju Lin
1Department of Nursing and Management, Jen-Teh Junior College of Medicine, Taiwan, ROC.
Background:
The effects of baicalein on SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells were examined to better understand its effect on apoptosis and associated possible signal pathways in vitro.
Materials And Methods:
Apoptosis induction, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytoplasmic Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and caspase-3 activity were analyzed using the flow cytometric assay. Apoptosis-associated proteins, such as p53, BAX, BCL-2, cytochrome c, caspase-3 and -9, EndoG and AIF were determined by Western blotting.
Results:
Our results showed that baicalein promoted the levels of p53, BAX, cytochrome c, capase-3 and -9 and reduced the level of BCL-2, which were associated with the induction of apoptotic cell death of SCC-4 cells. A release of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol was demonstrated and an activation of caspase-3, which led to the occurrence of apoptosis in SCC-4 cells treated with baicalein as determined by Western blot. In order to understand the role of Ca2+ in the induction of apoptosis, cells were pre-treated with BAPTA (intracellular calcium chelator) and baicalein. It was shown that the MMP was restored, and the level of cytoplasmic Ca2+ suppressed, the proportion of cells undergoing apoptosis was also markedly diminished. Our data suggest that cellular Ca2+ modulates baicalein-induced cell death via a Ca2+-dependent mitochondrial death pathway in SCC-4 cells.
Insights
Baicalein induces apoptosis in SCC-4 tongue cancer cells by activating the mitochondrial death pathway. This process involves calcium signaling and affects key apoptosis-related proteins, offering potential therapeutic insights.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Investigated the effects of baicalein on SCC-4 human tongue cancer cells.
- Focused on understanding baicalein's impact on apoptosis and related signaling pathways in vitro.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of baicalein-induced apoptosis in SCC-4 cells.
- To explore the role of calcium ions and mitochondrial pathways in this process.
Main Methods:
- Utilized flow cytometry to analyze apoptosis, reactive oxygen species (ROS), cytoplasmic Ca2+, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and caspase-3 activity.
- Employed Western blotting to assess apoptosis-associated proteins including p53, BAX, BCL-2, cytochrome c, caspase-3, and caspase-9.
Main Results:
- Baicalein treatment increased levels of p53, BAX, cytochrome c, caspase-3, and caspase-9, while decreasing BCL-2, indicating apoptosis induction.
- Demonstrated cytochrome c release from mitochondria and caspase-3 activation, confirming apoptosis.
- Showed that calcium chelation with BAPTA restored MMP, suppressed cytoplasmic Ca2+, and reduced apoptosis, highlighting a Ca2+-dependent pathway.
Conclusions:
- Baicalein induces apoptotic cell death in SCC-4 cells.
- Cellular calcium (Ca2+) plays a critical role in modulating baicalein-induced apoptosis through a mitochondrial pathway.
- These findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy targeting calcium signaling in tongue cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
01:31The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway
02:50Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...