Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 22, 2026

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies
09:29

Development and Maintenance of a Preclinical Patient Derived Tumor Xenograft Model for the Investigation of Novel Anti-Cancer Therapies

Published on: September 30, 2016

14.5K

Bax is involved in the anticancer activity of Velcade in colorectal cancer

Liya Su1, Qimuge Suyila1, Ling Yang1

  • 1Clinical Medical Research Center of The Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010050, P.R. China.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine
|September 16, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) is crucial for chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). Bax deficiency impairs chemotherapy sensitivity and affects tumor cell proliferation, offering insights into CRC prognosis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell Death Signaling

Background:

  • Chemotherapy efficacy relies on activating the intrinsic apoptosis pathway.
  • Mitochondrial dysfunction, regulated by B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) family proteins, is key to apoptosis.
  • Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) is a critical proapoptotic factor in this pathway.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Bax in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell proliferation, apoptosis, and chemotherapy response.
  • To determine the expression levels of Bax in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of Bax expression in human CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues.
  • Comparison of proliferation and colony formation between Bax-deficient (Bax-/-) and wild-type (Bax+/+) HCT-116 cells.
  • Assessment of apoptosis rates in Bax-/- and Bax+/+ HCT-116 cells under Velcade treatment.

Main Results:

  • Bax expression was elevated in CRC tissues compared to normal tissues.
  • Bax-/- HCT-116 cells showed reduced proliferation and colony formation but unchanged apoptosis rates.
  • Bax-/- HCT-116 cells exhibited increased resistance to Velcade-induced apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Bax expression is upregulated in colorectal cancer.
  • Bax plays a significant role in regulating colorectal cancer cell proliferation and response to chemotherapy.
  • Bax status may be relevant for predicting colorectal cancer prognosis and therapeutic outcomes.
Keywords:
BaxVelcadeapoptosiscolorectal cancer

More Related Videos

A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions07:40

A Data Integration Workflow to Identify Drug Combinations Targeting Synthetic Lethal Interactions

Published on: May 27, 2021

4.7K
Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles08:35

Examining BCL-2 Family Function with Large Unilamellar Vesicles

Published on: October 5, 2012

8.4K

Related Concept Videos

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...
8.8K
Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules01:10

Drugs that Destabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures and can be regulated by microtubule targeting agents (MTAs). Microtubule destabilizing drugs are a class of MTAs that destabilize and prevent microtubules' polymerization. Both natural and synthetic chemicals can be found under this class of drugs. Vincristine and vinblastine, two vinca alkaloids, and colchicine were among the first to be discovered. These drugs can affect cells in various ways, either by inducing a change in cell morphology, preventing...
4.1K
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against...
9.0K
Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine02:50

Combination Therapies and Personalized Medicine

Combining two or more treatment methods increases the life span of cancer patients while reducing damage to vital organs or tissue from the overuse of a single treatment. Combination therapy also targets different cancer-inducing pathways, thus reducing the chances of developing resistance to treatment.
The combination of the drug acetazolamide and sulforaphane is a good example of combination therapy to treat cancer. The cells in the interior of a large tumor often die due to the hypoxic and...
6.2K
Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules01:15

Drugs that Stabilize Microtubules

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo cycles of catastrophe and rescue. The microtubules play a central role in cell division by forming the spindle apparatus for segregating the chromosomes. This makes them ideal targets for regulating dividing cells in tumors and malignant cancer cells. Microtubule stabilizing drugs help stabilize the microtubule formation and promote its polymerization. Paclitaxel was the first microtubule stabilizing agent used as anticancer drug in chemotherapy...
2.8K
Cancer Therapies02:49

Cancer Therapies

Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
10.2K