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Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Decrease in RelA phosphorylation by inhibiting protein kinase A induces cell death in NF-kappaB-expressing and
Sunil K Manna1, Charitha Gangadharan
1Laboratory of Immunology, Centre for DNA Fingerprinting & Diagnostics, Nacharam, Hyderabad 500076, India. manna@cdfd.org.in
Abstract:
The RelA (p65) is a subunit of nuclear transcription factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) and actively participates in expression of NF-kappaB-dependent genes involved in inflammation and tumorigenesis. Hence, the regulation of p65 is an important strategy to regulate those responses. In this study, we provide data that the dichlorophenyl derivative of 1,2,4-thiadiazolidine (known as P(3)-25) induced cell death in NF-kappaB-expressing and doxorubicin-resistant cells. P(3)-25 inhibited NF-kappaB DNA binding activity partially, but inhibited NF-kappaB-dependent genes expression completely. It inhibited phosphorylation of Rel A (p65) by inhibiting activity of protein kinase A (PKA). The PKA inhibition was independent of adenylate cyclase activity or cAMP level. The PKA activity decreased due to inhibition of catalytic subunit of PKA. P(3)-25 inhibited almost 80% PKA activity at 100 nM concentration, having an IC(50) at 10.5 nM. P(3)-25 potentiated different chemotherapeutic agents-mediated cell death. Our results suggest that P(3)-25 inhibits PKA activity followed by decreased phosphorylation of p65 and transcriptional activity of NF-kappaB thereby decreasing antiapoptotic proteins resulting in induction of apoptosis in NF-kappaB-expressing and doxorubicin-resistant cells. The study might help to understand the mechanism of P(3)-25-mediated apoptosis and to design it as new chemotherapeutic drug for tumor therapy.
Insights
A novel compound, P(3)-25, induces cell death in drug-resistant cancer cells by inhibiting protein kinase A (PKA) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) activity. This mechanism offers potential for new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) signaling, involving the RelA (p65) subunit, drives inflammation and tumorigenesis.
- NF-kappaB activation is a key target for cancer therapy, particularly in doxorubicin-resistant cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of P(3)-25, a dichlorophenyl derivative of 1,2,4-thiadiazolidine, on NF-kappaB-expressing and doxorubicin-resistant cells.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying P(3)-25-induced cell death.
Main Methods:
- Assessed cell death induction in NF-kappaB-expressing and doxorubicin-resistant cell lines.
- Measured NF-kappaB DNA binding activity and expression of NF-kappaB-dependent genes.
- Investigated the effect of P(3)-25 on protein kinase A (PKA) activity and p65 phosphorylation.
- Evaluated P(3)-25's ability to potentiate chemotherapeutic agents.
Main Results:
- P(3)-25 induced significant cell death in NF-kappaB-expressing and doxorubicin-resistant cells.
- P(3)-25 partially inhibited NF-kappaB DNA binding but completely suppressed NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression.
- P(3)-25 directly inhibited PKA catalytic activity, leading to decreased p65 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB transcriptional activity.
- P(3)-25 enhanced the efficacy of other chemotherapeutic drugs.
Conclusions:
- P(3)-25 induces apoptosis in resistant cancer cells by inhibiting PKA and subsequently suppressing the NF-kappaB pathway.
- This targeted inhibition of PKA and NF-kappaB signaling by P(3)-25 presents a promising strategy for developing novel chemotherapeutic agents for tumor therapy.
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