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Updated: May 15, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
09:18

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death

Published on: December 27, 2016

Alternative Pathways of Cancer Cell Death by Rottlerin: Apoptosis versus Autophagy

Claudia Torricelli1, Sara Salvadori, Giuseppe Valacchi

  • 1Department of Physiology, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro, 7-53100 Siena, Italy.

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : Ecam
|January 16, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Rottlerin induces cancer cell death through autophagy in apoptosis-resistant breast cancer cells. This natural compound offers a potential therapeutic strategy for various cancer types, including those resistant to conventional treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Cancer cells evade apoptosis, limiting radiotherapy and chemotherapy efficacy.
  • Autophagy is an emerging target for promoting cancer cell death.
  • MCF-7 breast cancer cells are resistant to apoptosis and autophagy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate Rottlerin's ability to induce cell death in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
  • To determine the role of autophagy and apoptosis in Rottlerin-induced cytotoxicity.
  • To explore Rottlerin as a potential therapeutic agent for apoptosis-resistant cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines (caspase-3 deficient and transfected).
  • Employed light, fluorescence, and electron microscopy.
  • Conducted western blotting for apoptotic and autophagic markers.

Main Results:

  • Rottlerin induced noncanonical, Bcl-2-, Beclin 1-, Akt-, and ERK-independent autophagic death in caspase-3 deficient MCF-7 cells.
  • Rottlerin induced caspase-mediated apoptosis in caspase-3 transfected MCF-7 cells.
  • Cytotoxicity was observed in non-starved conditions without additional treatments.

Conclusions:

  • Rottlerin can induce distinct cell death pathways (autophagic or apoptotic) depending on cellular context.
  • Rottlerin demonstrates potential as a cytotoxic agent for both apoptosis-competent and apoptosis-resistant cancer cells.
  • This study highlights Rottlerin as a promising natural compound for cancer therapy.

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