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Caspase-8 and p38MAPK in DATS-induced apoptosis of human CNE2 cells

C Ji1, F Ren, M Xu

  • 1Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research = Revista Brasileira De Pesquisas Medicas E Biologicas
|August 31, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), from garlic, induces apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. This process involves the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and caspase-8, suggesting a potential therapeutic pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a prevalent malignancy in Southern China with an unclear etiology.
  • Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a compound found in garlic (Allium sativum), exhibits potent antimicrobial properties.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying NPC cell death is crucial for developing targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and caspase-8 in DATS-induced apoptosis of human CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.
  • To determine the dose-dependent effect of DATS on CNE2 cell viability and apoptosis.
  • To elucidate the interaction between DATS, p38 MAPK, and caspase-8 in the apoptotic pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Cell viability was assessed using the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] assay.
  • Apoptosis rates were quantified via flow cytometry.
  • Western blotting was employed to analyze the activity of p38 MAPK and caspase-8.
  • Specific inhibitors (SB203580 for p38 MAPK and Z-LETD-FMK for caspase-8) were used to probe pathway involvement.

Main Results:

  • DATS demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of CNE2 cell viability and a corresponding increase in apoptosis.
  • Treatment with DATS (100 μM) significantly induced apoptosis, with rates increasing from 24.5% to 62.4% at higher concentrations.
  • Inhibitor studies confirmed that both p38 MAPK and caspase-8 are activated by DATS and play a role in DATS-mediated apoptosis, with evidence of their interaction.

Conclusions:

  • DATS effectively induces apoptosis in human CNE2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner.
  • The p38 MAPK and caspase-8 signaling pathways are critically involved in DATS-induced apoptosis.
  • DATS represents a potential therapeutic agent for nasopharyngeal carcinoma, acting through the activation of p38 MAPK and caspase-8.

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