BAD overexpression inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis via mitochondrial-dependent pathway in non-small cell lung cancer
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Updated: May 10, 2026

Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
Li Jiang1,2, Man Luo1, Dan Liu1
1Department of Respiratory Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P.R China.
Background:
The pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein BAD initiated apoptosis in human cells and has been identified as a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this study, we aimed to explore the functions of BAD in NSCLC.
Methods:
Overexpression of BAD was performed by transfecting different NSCLC cell lines with wild-type BAD. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and invasion were characterized in vitro. Tumorigenicity was analyzed in vivo. Western blot was performed to determine the effects of BAD overexpression on the Bcl-2 family proteins and apoptosis-related proteins.
Results:
Overexpression of BAD significantly inhibited cell proliferation in H1299, H292, and SPC-A1 but not in SK-MES-1 and H460 cell lines in vitro. BAD overexpression also reduced the tumorigenicity of H1299/SPC-A1 cell in vivo. However, no appreciable effects on cell cycle distribution and invasion were observed in all these cell lines. BAD overexpression also induced apoptosis in all cell types, in which process expression of mitochondrial cytochrom c (cyto-c) and caspase 3 were increased, whereas Bcl-xl, Bcl-2, Bax and caspase 8 expressions did not changed. These findings indicated that a mitochondrial pathway, in which process cyto-c was released from mitochondrial to activate caspase 3, was involved in BAD overexpression-mediated apoptosis.
Conclusions:
Our data suggested that increased expression of BAD enhance apoptosis and has negative influence on cell proliferation and tumor growth in NSCLC. Bad is a new potential target for tumor interventions.
Insights
Increased expression of the Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) protein enhances apoptosis and inhibits tumor growth in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). BAD represents a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC interventions.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The Bcl-2-associated death promoter (BAD) protein is a pro-apoptotic factor implicated in human cell apoptosis.
- BAD has been identified as a prognostic marker in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional roles of BAD in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Main Methods:
- BAD was overexpressed in NSCLC cell lines via transfection.
- In vitro assays assessed cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and invasion.
- In vivo studies evaluated tumorigenicity.
- Western blotting analyzed Bcl-2 family and apoptosis-related protein expression.
Main Results:
- BAD overexpression inhibited proliferation and reduced tumorigenicity in specific NSCLC cell lines (H1299, H292, SPC-A1) in vitro and in vivo.
- Apoptosis was induced in all tested cell types, involving increased mitochondrial cytochrome c and caspase 3 activation.
- No significant effects on cell cycle distribution or invasion were observed.
Conclusions:
- Increased BAD expression promotes apoptosis and negatively impacts NSCLC cell proliferation and tumor growth.
- BAD emerges as a potential therapeutic target for NSCLC treatment.
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