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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

Evaluating Cell Death Using Cell-Free Supernatant of Probiotics in Three-Dimensional Spheroid Cultures of Colorectal Cancer Cells
Published on: June 13, 2020
Activation of several concurrent proapoptic pathways by sulforaphane in human colon cancer cells SW620
E Rudolf1, H Andelová, M Cervinka
1Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove, Simkova 870, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. rudolf@lfhk.cuni.cz
Abstract:
Despite the reported cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing properties of sulforaphane (SF) in colon cancer cells, the details concerning individual mechanisms and signaling cascades underlying SF-mediated apoptosis remain unclear. To understand different aspects of SF-induced proapoptic signaling in advanced colon carcinoma, we investigated its mechanisms in metastatic SW620 cell line. Our results indicate that in SW620 cells SF acts to induce multivariate cascades including DNA-damage response pathway whose proapoptotic signaling is nevertheless reduced owing to the mutant status of p53 and caspase-2-JNK pathway which seems to complement and enhance p53-dependent signaling, however only in wild-type p53. Furthermore, both pathways require the active role of mitochondria and do not depend on generation of ROS, making SF an attractive chemopreventive agent whose antitumor properties should be further investigated in colon cancer.
Insights
Sulforaphane (SF) triggers apoptosis in colon cancer cells via DNA-damage and caspase-2-JNK pathways. These mechanisms, independent of ROS, highlight SF
Area of Science:
- * Oncology
- * Molecular Biology
- * Cancer Research
Background:
- * Sulforaphane (SF) exhibits known cytotoxicity and apoptosis-inducing effects in colon cancer cells.
- * The precise molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of SF-mediated apoptosis remain incompletely understood.
- * Investigating these pathways is crucial for understanding SF's potential as a chemopreventive agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To elucidate the specific mechanisms and signaling cascades of SF-induced apoptosis in advanced colon cancer.
- * To investigate SF's effects on proapoptotic signaling in the metastatic SW620 cell line.
- * To determine the role of p53 status and mitochondrial activity in SF's apoptotic effects.
Main Methods:
- * Utilized the metastatic SW620 colon cancer cell line for experimental analysis.
- * Investigated the DNA-damage response pathway and its interaction with p53.
- * Examined the caspase-2-JNK pathway and its dependence on p53 status and mitochondrial activity.
- * Assessed the involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in SF-induced apoptosis.
Main Results:
- * SF induces multivariate apoptotic cascades in SW620 cells.
- * Proapoptotic signaling via the DNA-damage response pathway is attenuated by mutant p53.
- * The caspase-2-JNK pathway complements p53-dependent signaling in wild-type p53 cells.
- * Both investigated pathways necessitate active mitochondria and do not rely on ROS generation.
Conclusions:
- * SF activates distinct apoptotic signaling pathways in colon cancer cells, influenced by p53 status.
- * Mitochondrial activity is essential for SF-induced apoptosis, independent of ROS.
- * SF demonstrates potential as a chemopreventive agent against colon cancer, warranting further investigation.
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