Genistein-induced apoptosis is mediated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in cervical cancer cells

Y-M Yang1, Y Yang, W-W Dai

  • 1Cancer Research Institute, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China. hanzhigang@medmail.com.cn.

Abstract

Insights

Genistein, a soy isoflavone, induces apoptosis in cervical cancer cells by triggering endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. This ER stress response is crucial for genistein

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavone, demonstrates anti-cancer properties.
  • Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a known factor in drug-induced apoptosis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ER stress in genistein-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer cells.

Main Methods:

  • HeLa cervical cancer cells were treated with genistein and/or 4-phenylbutyric acid (an ER stress inhibitor).
  • Cell viability was assessed using MTT assay.
  • Apoptosis and protein expression (GRP78, CHOP) were analyzed via flow cytometry and Western blot.

Main Results:

  • Genistein reduced HeLa cell viability and induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.
  • Genistein treatment upregulated ER stress markers glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and CHOP.
  • The ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid attenuated genistein-induced apoptosis and ER stress.

Conclusions:

  • ER stress plays a significant role in genistein-induced apoptosis in cervical cancer.
  • Genistein shows potential as a therapeutic agent for cervical cancer.

Related Concept Videos

Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway01:17

Role of ER in the Secretory Pathway

Eukaryotic cells have a special pathway that enables communication between various intracellular membrane-bound compartments and also with the extracellular environment. This pathway is termed as the secretory pathway.
Components of the secretory pathway
About a third of proteins synthesized in the cell are sorted via the secretory route. They shuffle between different compartments in membrane-bound vesicles until they reach their final destination. The main intracellular compartments involved...
7.7K
The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway01:31

The Intrinsic Apoptotic Pathway

Internal cellular stress, such as cellular injury or hypoxia, triggers intrinsic apoptosis. The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family of proteins are the primary regulators of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. For example, during DNA damage, checkpoint proteins, such as Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM protein) and Checkpoints Factor-2 (Chk2) proteins, are activated. These proteins phosphorylate p53 which further activates pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax, Bak, PUMA, and Noxa, and inhibits...
9.1K
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER01:32

Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER

After folding, the ER assesses the quality of secretory and membrane proteins. The correctly folded proteins are cleared by the calnexin cycle for transport to their final destination, while misfolded proteins are held back in the ER lumen. The ER chaperones attempt to unfold and refold the misfolded proteins but sometimes fail to achieve the correct native conformation. Such terminally misfolded proteins are then exported to the cytosol by ER-associated degradation or ERAD pathway for...
5.4K
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
8.3K
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
10.3K
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle02:36

DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle

In response to DNA damage, cells can pause the cell cycle to assess and repair the breaks. However, the cell must check the DNA at certain critical stages during the cell cycle. If the cell cycle pauses before DNA replication, the cells will contain twice the amount of DNA. On the other hand, if cells arrest after DNA replication but before mitosis, they will contain four times the normal amount of DNA. With a host of specialized proteins at their disposal,cells must use the right protein at...
3.3K