Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 4, 2026

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation
08:47

Lighting Up the Pathways to Caspase Activation Using Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation

Published on: March 5, 2018

Antitumor effect of a transducible fusogenic peptide releasing multiple proapoptotic peptides by caspase-3

Mi-Kyung Kwon1, Ju-Ock Nam, Rang-Woon Park

  • 1Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Cell and Matrix Research Institute, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 101 Dongin-2ga, Jung-gu, Daegu 700-422, Korea.

Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
|June 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

A novel peptide, TK3, effectively induces tumor cell apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis. This peptide shows significant potential for treating accessible tumors and as an adjuvant cancer therapy.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to combat cancer.
  • Peptide-based therapies offer targeted delivery and action.
  • Inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis are key anti-cancer mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To design and evaluate a novel peptide, TK3, for cancer therapy.
  • To investigate TK3's mechanism of action, including caspase-3 activation and peptide release.
  • To assess TK3's efficacy in vitro and in vivo against melanoma tumors.

Main Methods:

  • Design of TK3 peptide with specific functional domains (TAT, proapoptotic, caspase-3 cleavage site).
  • In vitro studies assessing cellular transduction, caspase-3 activation, apoptosis induction, and anti-angiogenesis effects.
  • In vivo studies involving direct injection into B16F10 melanoma tumors in mice.

Main Results:

  • TK3 successfully transduced into cells and activated caspase-3, releasing active (KLAKLAK)(2) peptides.
  • (KLAKLAK)(2) induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.
  • TK3 demonstrated anti-angiogenic properties and significantly inhibited melanoma tumor growth upon direct injection.

Conclusions:

  • TK3 is a promising therapeutic agent for accessible tumors.
  • TK3's dual action of inducing apoptosis and inhibiting angiogenesis warrants further investigation.
  • TK3 may serve as a valuable adjuvant in cancer treatment strategies.

More Related Videos

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis12:55

Strategies for Tracking Anastasis, A Cell Survival Phenomenon that Reverses Apoptosis

Published on: February 16, 2015

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches05:56

Exploring Caspase Mutations and Post-Translational Modification by Molecular Modeling Approaches

Published on: October 13, 2022

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 Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:17

The Extrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

The extrinsic apoptotic pathway is initiated when extracellular death-inducing signals, such as specific cytokines, activate the death receptors expressed on the cell surface. The immune cells involved in this pathway are natural killer cells (NK cells) and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. NK cells are critical in innate immune response, while cytotoxic T-lymphocytes are associated with adaptive immune response. These cells recognize specific receptors expressed on the altered cells and activate...
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...
Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells01:17

Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Cells

Cells undergoing apoptosis form apoptotic bodies that must be removed immediately to prevent inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and necrosis. Phagocytosis is carried out by professional phagocytes such as macrophages or  immature dendritic cells. Non-professional phagocytes such as  epithelial cells and fibroblasts also take part in this process; however, they are not as effective as professional phagocytes. 
Normal cells contain receptors that prevent them from being recognized by phagocytes.
Apoptosis01:30

Apoptosis

Apoptosis is a combination of two Greek words, 'apo' and 'ptosis,' meaning separation and falling off, respectively. Hippocrates used this word to describe gangrene, which was caused due to bandaging of fractured bones. Apoptosis was distinguished from necrosis in 1970 when John Kerr reported observations of morphological changes occurring during apoptosis. During one experiment, he observed that the disruption of blood supply to the liver tissue resulted in a size reduction of the tissue.
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...