5-脂氧合酶激活蛋白小干扰RNA诱导人乳腺癌细胞凋亡的初步研究

目的：研究5-脂氧合酶激活蛋白（FLAP）的表达抑制对乳腺癌细胞凋亡的诱导作用。方法：通过小干扰RNA（siRNA）抑制乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231中FLAP的表达,用流式细胞仪检测膜联蛋白（annexin）-V标记的早期凋亡细胞,用Western印迹检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白的水平。结果：转染了FLAP siRNA的乳腺癌细胞,24h后FLAP的表达被抑制,17％的细胞出现早期凋亡;48h时早期凋亡细胞增加到32．1％;72h时早期凋亡细胞下降到13．8％,而死亡或凋亡晚期细胞占到61．3％。在细胞凋亡过程中,Bcl-2水平下降,而细胞色素c、胱冬蛋白酶（caspase）-3的水平逐渐增高。结论：FLAP的表达抑制可以诱导乳腺癌细胞通过Bcl-2和胱冬蛋白酶-3途径发生凋亡。     

8-氯腺苷诱导的组蛋白H3K79双甲基化促进NBS1和p21的基因转录激活

组蛋白H3第79位赖氨酸甲基化（H3K79me）修饰有单甲基、双甲基及三甲基3种形式,是常染色质的标志.然而,对于组蛋白H3K79三种甲基化各自在基因转录、DNA损伤修复中所起的作用尚不十分清楚.本研究以8-氯腺苷（8-Cl-Ado）为DNA双链断裂（DNA double-stranded breaks,DSB）诱导剂,采用Western 印迹,在人肺癌细胞H1299检测出了DNA修复分子NBS1、细胞周期检验点相关分子p21,并发现H3K79me1、H3K79me2和H3K79me3三种甲基化修饰的组蛋白明显增加;染色质免疫共沉淀结合实时定量PCR实验显示,只H3K79me2与DNA损伤检验点分子p21、DNA修复分子NBS1的启动子区域相结合,说明H3K79双甲基化修饰与这些基因的转录激活有关.结果提示,在8-氯腺苷引起 DSB时,是H3K79me2、而不是H3K79me1和H3K79me3参与NBS1和p21基因转录激活时的染色质重塑.8-氯腺苷诱导H3K79双甲基化增强、促进H3K79me2所在染色质区域的NBS1和p21基因转录激活可能是8-Cl-Ado抑制肿瘤细胞生长作用机制之一.     

8-氯腺苷通过ADAR1调控miR-335-5p抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭

该文探讨了8-氯腺苷(8-chloro-adenosine, 8-Cl-Ado)调控RNA编辑酶1(adenosine deaminases acting on RNA1, ADAR1)对乳腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响,确定了ADAR1与miR-335-5p表达的相关性。10μmol/L的8-Cl-Ado作用于乳腺癌细胞后(不同时间点),采用CCK-8检测细胞的增殖情况; Transwell检测细胞的迁移和侵袭情况; Western blot检测ADAR1蛋白的表达水平;CCK-8检测ADAR1过表达对8-Cl-Ado抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖的影响; Transwell检测ADAR1过表达对8-Cl-Ado抑制乳腺癌细胞迁移和侵袭的影响; miRNA芯片筛选8-Cl-Ado处理后乳腺癌细胞中上调的miRNA, qRT-PCR验证其与ADAR1的相关性。结果显示, 8-Cl-Ado能抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭; ADAR1蛋白的表达量随8-Cl-Ado处理时间的增加而逐渐降低; ADAR1的过表达能减弱8-Cl-Ado对乳腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的抑制作用; miR-335-5p经8-Cl-Ado处理后表达水平上调,与ADAR1呈负向调控关系。以上结果表明, 8-Cl-Ado下调ADAR1抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,其作用机制可能与ADAR1下调mi R-335-5p有关。     

靶向survivin的siRNA对胃癌BGC-823细胞增殖的影响

目的探讨干扰RNA沉默生存素（survivin）基因表达对人胃癌BGC-823细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。方法设计并合成3条靶向survivin的小分子干扰RNA（siRNA）,构建表达性干扰RNA质粒（shRNA）——shRNA-survivin-1、shRNA-survivin-2和shRNA-survivin-3,分别转染胃癌BGC-823细胞,实时定量PCR检测干扰RNA沉默survivin mRNA表达效果,Westernblot观察对胃癌BGC-823细胞survivin蛋白质表达的抑制,MTT（四甲基偶氮唑盐）比色法分析检测细胞生长抑制率,流式细胞计数检测各组细胞周期和凋亡率,探讨干扰RNA对胃癌BGC-823细胞生长的影响。结果在体外,shRNA-survivin-1有效沉默人胃癌BGC-823细胞survivin mRNA的表达,使sur-vivin mRNA相对水平明显降低（P〈0.05）,survivin蛋白质表达抑制,72h细胞生长抑制率达74.92%（P〈0.05）,shRNA-survivin-1使G2/M期细胞百分比明显增加,凋亡率显著增加（P〈0.05）。结论 shRNA-survivin-1可以沉默survivin基因的表达,可以显著抑制胃癌BGC-823细胞的增殖,在一定程度上诱导其自发凋亡。本研究为靶向sur-vivin的RNA干扰在胃癌的基因治疗提供了有力的理论依据和技术储备。     

Procaspase-8失调与肿瘤细胞对TRAIL的耐受

肿瘤坏死因子相关凋亡诱导配体(TRAIL)可激活胱天蛋白酶（caspase）家族蛋白系列级联反应,最终诱导细胞凋亡. TRAIL选择性地诱导肿瘤细胞凋亡而不损伤正常细胞,使其成为治疗癌症的潜在药物靶点. 目前已知,细胞型FADD样白介素-1-β转换酶抑制蛋白(c FLIP)和凋亡抑制蛋白(IAPs)是肿瘤细胞对TRAIL耐受的主要原因.胱天蛋白酶原-8（procaspase-8）是TRAIL凋亡信号途径中的凋亡起始蛋白. 然而近年发现,在某些肿瘤细胞中procaspase-8功能失调常会阻碍凋亡信号传导,使肿瘤细胞对TRAIL诱导的凋亡产生耐受. 本文就其机制进行概述.     

MAT2A基因小干扰RNA诱导人肝癌细胞凋亡的分子机制

为探讨甲硫氨酸腺苷转移酶2A(MAT2A)小干扰RNA对人肝癌细胞生长和细胞凋亡的影响及其机 制,采用脂质体转染法将MAT2A小干扰RNA质粒表达载体转染人肝癌细胞系Bel 7402细胞、HepG 2细胞和 HepG3B细胞.半定量RT PCR检测MAT2A mRNA表达,Western印迹检测MAT2A 蛋白质表达, M TT法观察MAT2A小干扰RNA对肝癌细胞生长的影响,流式细胞仪及DAPI染色检测siRNA对肝癌细 胞凋亡的影响.为探讨其作用机制, 进一步检测转染后肝癌细胞MAT的活性、MAT1A mRNA表 达及SAM、SAH含量.结果发现, MAT2A小干扰RNA特异性抑制人肝癌细胞MAT2A mRNA和蛋白质 的表达, 刺激MAT表达由MAT2A向MAT1A转变, 降低了肝癌细胞中MATⅡ活性（P<005） ,从而诱导肝癌细胞凋亡; MAT2A小干扰RNA诱导Bel－7402细胞、HepG 2细胞、 Hep 3B细胞凋亡 指数分别为19．3%±2．8%、22．8%±3．5%、21．8%±4．2%, 较对照组siRNA(凋亡指数为5 2%±19%)具有明显差异(P<005).DAPI染色显示, MAT2A小干扰RNA转染组可见多个细胞核 浓缩、碎裂成蓝色的小块状,染色质凝聚,形成典型的凋亡小体, 而对照siRNA转染组未发现典型的 凋亡小体.肝癌细胞的生长也受到抑制,MAT2A小干扰RNA转染Bel 7402细胞、HepG 2细胞 、HepG3B细胞72 h后,细胞生长抑制率达高峰,分别为39．62%、41．27%、38．84%.肝癌细胞 中SAM含量明显升高(P<001),而SAH含量改变不明显, SAM/SAH变化伴随SAM含量变化而改 变.提示靶向MAT2A基因的siRNA通过升高肝癌细胞中SAM含量,刺激MAT表达由MAT2A向MAT1A转变, 从而诱导肝癌细胞凋亡,抑制肝癌细胞生长.     

RNA干扰抑制SiHaB2细胞中Bcl-2基因的表达

Bcl-2基因作为细胞凋亡的一个潜在抑制剂调节细胞的死亡,抑制恶性肿瘤细胞中Bcl-2基因的表达可促进肿瘤细胞的凋亡。采用RNA干扰技术,合成了含有21个核苷酸的小双链干扰RNA（siRNA．Bcl-2）,并构建了含有19个核苷酸基因的质粒载体（pSilencer2．1-U6-Bcl-2）,把合成的siRNA．Bcl-2和pSilencer2．1-U．Bcl-2分别转导入Bcl-2高表达的细胞株SiHaB2中,通过Western印迹检测,免疫荧光法检测及DNA梯（ladder）检测,可观察到在导入siRNA．Bcl-2和pSilencer2．1-U．Bcl-2的SiHaB2细胞被培养72h后,可以明显抑制Bcl-2蛋白的表达。     

靶向E2F1的shRNA抑制眼内视网膜母细胞瘤生长

视网膜母细胞瘤(retinoblastoma,RB)中由于Rb基因缺失或失活,转录调控因子E2F1始终处于活化状态,细胞不断增殖,E2F1活性增加是恶性肿瘤的普遍现象．根据人E2F1基因设计了3段shRNA,构建RNA干扰表达载体pSilencer-shE2F1,瞬时转染人视网膜母细胞瘤细胞株HXO-Rb-44和人肝癌细胞株SMMC-7721,通过荧光定量PCR检测E2F1表达水平的变化,PI (碘化丙锭)染色检测细胞周期各时相细胞数量以检测其对细胞周期的影响．根据筛选出的有效shRNA序列构建腺病毒载体并包装出腺病毒Ad-shE2F1,在裸鼠前房模型中,体外按50 moi的感染系数感染稳定表达绿色荧光蛋白(GFP)的人视网膜母细胞瘤细胞株48 h后,收集细胞,将2×10⁵细胞注射到裸鼠眼前房内,连续观察眼内肿瘤细胞生长情况并拍照记录．通过转染肿瘤细胞株检测E2F1转录水平,筛选到1个能明显抑制肿瘤细胞内E2F1表达的shRNA序列,并使细胞周期中S期细胞数减少．经Ad-shE2F1感染的RB肿瘤细胞与对照相比较,其在裸鼠眼前房内肿瘤生长减缓．结果说明,有效抑制hE2F1表达的shRNA具有抑制体内外人视网膜母细胞瘤生长的作用．     

针对核因子-κBP65基因的短发夹干扰RNA逆转录病毒载体构建与鉴定

目的：构建针对人核因子κB亚基P65基因mRNA的短发夹干扰RNA（shRNA）逆转录病毒表达载体,并探讨小干扰RNA（siRNA）靶向抑制NF—κB P65基因表达的作用。方法：根据shRNA设计原则,在人NF-κB P65全长序列中选取含19个核苷酸靶序列,设计形成siRNA的DNA模板并克隆到shRNA表达载体pSUPER．retro．neo中,构建针对NF—κB P65基因的shRNA表达载体。经293A细胞包装,并感染NIH3T3细胞进行病毒滴度测定后,感染THP-1细胞。分别采用RT—PCR和Western blot从mRNA和蛋白水平检测干扰效果。结果：限制性酶切和基因测序证实针对人NF-κB P65亚基的shRNA表达逆转录病毒载体成功构建;其感染THP-1细胞后,NF—κB P65的mRNA和蛋白表达明显抑制。结论：成功构建了NF-κB P65 shRNA逆转录病毒表达载体,该载体能高效感染THP-1并明显抑制NF—κB P65的表达。     

Survivin和RhoA双基因沉默对卵巢癌细胞的增殖与侵袭影响

目的：探讨RNA干扰（RNAi）双向沉默Survivin和RhoA基因表达对人卵巢癌H08910PM细胞增殖、凋亡及侵袭能力的影响。方法：构建Survivin和RhoA基因的串联microRNA干扰载体（Survivin-RhoA-microRNA）,通过脂质体介导转染人卵巢癌H08910PM细胞作为实验组,对照组为空载体转染组。转染48小时后,RT—PCR检测Survivin和RhoA的mRNA表达,Western．Blot检测Survivin和RhoA的蛋白质表达;利用MTT法、Transwell小室体外侵袭实验及流式细胞术检测转染后卵巢癌细胞的增殖、侵袭及凋亡情况。结果：Survivin—RhoA—microRNA明显抑制了H08910PM细胞中Survivin和RhoA基因mRNA和蛋白的表达：转染48小时后,实验组SurvivinmRNA和RhoAmRNA表达抑制率分别为68．82％、90．23％,Survivin和RhoA蛋白表达抑制率分别为63．91％、88．47％;MTT分析显示实验组细胞OD490的值为0．706±0．177,较对照组（1．172±0．241）明显降低,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;流式细胞术检测实验组细胞凋亡率为36．41±3．34％,较对照组（2．92±0．78％）明显升高（P〈0．01）;实验组细胞侵袭百分比为12．56±6．17％,较对照组（32．96±5．14％）明显降低（P〈0．05）。结论：成功构建Survivin和RhoA串联microRNA干扰载体（Survivin．RhoA．microRNA）。Survivin和RhoA双基因沉默显著抑制了卵巢癌H08910PM细胞的增殖和侵袭能力,并增加其凋亡率,两者具有协同作用,为双靶点治疗卵巢癌提供了新的思路和策略。     

雷公藤红素对非小细胞肺癌细胞株H1299增殖与凋亡的影响

目的：研究雷公藤红素对非小细胞肺癌细胞株H1299的杀伤作用及相关调控机制。方法：用细胞计数法测定不同浓度雷公藤红素对H1299细胞增殖的影响;用流式细胞仪检测H1299细胞的细胞周期;用Western blotting检测剪切的（cleaved）聚ADP核糖聚合酶（PARP）、cleaved caspase-3和低氧诱导因子-1（HIF-1）的表达水平;用DCF-DA染色和荧光显微镜检测细胞内的活性氧（ROS）水平;用萤光素酶活性测定法检测NFκB的活性。结果：雷公藤红素以时间和剂量依赖性的方式抑制H1299细胞的增殖,并使细胞阻滞在G2/M期。同时,雷公藤红素显著上调cleaved PARP和cleaved caspase-3的表达,提高细胞内的ROS水平,并且抑制NFκB的活性。结论：雷公藤红素以时间和剂量依赖性的方式抑制H1299细胞的增殖,并诱导caspase依赖性的细胞凋亡,具体机制与细胞内ROS的积累和NFκB的活性抑制有关。     

Human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase suppresses the oxidative stress induced apoptosis through a p53-mediated signaling pathway in human fibroblasts

Human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1) is the main defense enzyme against mutagenic effects of cellular 7,8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine. In this study, we investigated the biological role of hOGG1 in DNA damage-related apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))-derived oxidative stress. The down-regulated expression of hOGG1 by its small interfering RNA prominently triggers the H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis in human fibroblasts GM00637 and human lung carcinoma H1299 cells via the p53-mediated apoptotic pathway. However, the apoptotic responses were specifically inhibited by hOGG1 overexpression. The p53-small interfering RNA transfection into the hOGG1-deficient GM00637 markedly inhibited the H(2)O(2)-induced activation of p53-downstream target proteins such as p21, Noxa, and caspase-3/7, which eventually resulted in the increased cell viability. Although the cell viability of hOGG1-knockdown H1299 p53 null cells was similar to that of the hOGG1 wild-type H1299, after the overexpression of p53 the hOGG1-knockdown H1299 showed the significantly decreased cell viability compared with that of the hOGG1 wild-type H1299 at the same experimental condition. Moreover, the array comparative genome hybridization analyses revealed that the hOGG1-deficient GM00637 showed more significant changes in the copy number of large regions of their chromosomes in response to H(2)O(2) treatment. Therefore, we suggest that although p53 is a major modulator of apoptosis, hOGG1 also plays a pivotal role in protecting cells against the H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis at the upstream of the p53-dependent pathway to confer a survival advantage to human fibroblasts and human lung carcinomas through maintaining their genomic stability.     

八氯腺苷诱导SH-SY5Y和SK-N-SH细胞G2/M期阻滞的分子机制不同

为探索八氯腺苷的抗肿瘤作用机制,以神经母细胞瘤SH-SY5Y和SK-N-SH细胞为对象,采用四唑盐比色实验（MTT法）证明,八氯腺苷具有明显的抑制肿瘤细胞增殖的作用,这种抑制作用呈剂量-时间依赖性.流式细胞分析显示,10 μmol/L八氯腺苷作用48 h后可导致靶细胞生长停滞于G ^₂/M期;SH-SY5Y细胞发生明显细胞凋亡,但SK-N-SH细胞却未见凋亡.Hoechst 33342染色显示,SK-N-SH细胞发生了核分裂异常.蛋白质免疫印迹分析证明,10 μmol/L 八氯腺苷处理SH SY5Y 48～72 h后,G^₂检验点调节蛋白ATM、Chk1、Cdc25C和Cdc2磷酸化形式明显上调,同时伴有caspase-3的激活,提示SH-SY5Y细胞发生了G^₂检验点通路和细胞凋亡途径的激活.与SH-SY5Y细胞不同,在SK-N-SH细胞中,八氯腺苷处理24～96 h时,磷酸化ATM、磷酸化Chk1/Chk2、磷酸化Cdc25C以及磷酸化Cdc2的水平呈现逐渐降低的趋势.结果提示,SK-N-SH细胞在八氯腺苷处理后发生了G^₂检验点失败.蛋白质免疫印迹分析还显示,八氯腺苷可诱导p53在SH-SY5Y细胞的表达,但却不能影响SK—N-SH细胞的p53组成性表达水平.p21在SK-N-SH的组成性表达随八氯腺苷处理时间延长而逐渐减少,但在处理前后的SH-SY5Y细胞均未检测到p21蛋白的表达.上述实验结果提示,八氯腺苷抑制两种细胞增殖的机制不同：在SH-SY5Y细胞,八氯腺苷可激活ATM-Chk-Cdc25C-Cdc2/cyclin途径和凋亡通路,使细胞发生G_²/M期阻滞和细胞凋亡;在SK-N-SH细胞,八氯腺苷诱导G^₂检验点失败,导致细胞阻滞在有丝分裂期,并发生有丝分裂异常.2种不同的细胞命运可能还与p53和p21表达不同有关.     

Gö6976转变8-氯-腺苷引起的G2/M期阻滞为S期阻滞并促进K562细胞凋亡

8-氯-腺苷可抑制多种人类肿瘤细胞生长．8-氯-腺苷可引起细胞有丝分裂异常、G2/M 期阻滞和晚期凋亡．为探索增强8-氯-腺苷的抗肿瘤作用,本研究以人慢性髓性白血病细胞株K562为靶细胞,联合使用Chk1抑制剂Gö6976与8-氯-腺苷,观察Gö6976处理后肿瘤细胞对8-氯-腺苷的增敏效果,探索其作用机制．流式细胞分析发现,Gö6976 可消除8-氯-腺苷引起的K562细胞G₂/M期阻滞,使转换为S期阻滞．蛋白质印迹及免疫共沉淀实验显示,Gö6976可灭活Chk1,激活Chk2,使Chk1-Cdc25C-CDK1级联反应转换为Chk2-Cdc25A-CDK2级联反应,从而引起细胞周期阻滞发生改变．蛋白质印迹实验证明,Gö6976 可明显增强8-氯-腺苷作用引起的凋亡相关分子procasepase-3和PARP的激活;流式细胞分析显示,Gö6976促进8-氯-腺苷引起的细胞凋亡．研究结果提示,Gö6976增强了靶细胞对8-氯-腺苷的敏感性,通过转换8-氯-腺苷引起的G₂/M期阻滞为S期阻滞,促进细胞凋亡．     

Activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase is required for gemcitabine's cytotoxic effect in human lung cancer H1299 cells

Although gemcitabine is a potent therapeutic agent in the treatment of human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), resistance to gemcitabine is common. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in acquired gemcitabine resistance against NSCLC cells. Gemcitabine-resistant NSCLC H1299 cells (H1299/GR) were selected by long-term exposure of parental H1299 cells to gemcitabine. The median inhibitory concentrations of gemcitabine in H1299 and H1299/GR cells were 19.4 and 233.1 nM, respectively. Gemcitabine induced activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) in parental H1299 cells but not in H1299/GR cells after 48 h. Blocking JNK activation by pretreatment with SP600125, a specific JNK inhibitor, or by transfection with dominant-negative JNK vectors abrogated gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in parental H1299 cells as evidenced by interruption of caspase activation. Transient transfection with a JNKK2-JNK1 plasmid expressing constitutive JNK1 partially restored the effect of gemcitabine in H1299/GR cells. Our results indicate that gemcitabine-induced apoptosis in human NSCLC H1299 cells requires activation of the JNK signaling pathway. Attenuated JNK activation may contribute to development of acquired gemcitabine resistance in cancer cells.     

Galangin induces B16F10 melanoma cell apoptosis via mitochondrial pathway and sustained activation of p38 MAPK

Galangin, an active flavonoid present at high concentration in Alpinia officinarum Hance and propolis, shows cytotoxicity towards several cancer cell lines, including melanoma. However, the specific cellular targets of galangin-induced cytotoxicity in melanoma are still unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of galangin in B16F10 melanoma cells and explored the possible molecular mechanisms. Galangin significantly decreased cell viability of B16F10 cells, and also induced cell apoptosis shown by Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-PI double staining flow cytometric assay. Furthermore, upon galangin treatment, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential was observed by JC-1 staining. Western blotting analysis indicated that galangin activated apoptosis signaling cascades by cleavage of procaspase-9, procaspase-3 and PARP in B16F10 cells. Moreover, galangin significantly induced activation of phosphor-p38 MAPK in a time and dose dependent manner. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38, partially attenuated galangin-induced apoptosis in B16F10 cells. Taken together, this work suggests that galangin has the potential to be a promising agent for melanoma treatment and may be further evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent.     

Thiourea compound AW00178 sensitizes human H1299 lung carcinoma cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis

The tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) triggers apoptosis in a wide variety of cancer cells. Recently, cancer cell resistance to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis has become a challenging issue in the development of TRAIL-based anti-cancer therapies. In this study, we found that 1-(5-chloro-2-methyl-phenyl)-3-[4-(5-trifluoromethyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-thiourea (AW00178) was able to sensitize TRAIL-resistant human lung cancer H1299 cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis. Treatment with AW00178, either alone or in combination with TRAIL, induced the expression of CHOP, a protein related to TRAIL sensitivity, and reduced the expression of survivin, an anti-apoptotic protein involved in TRAIL resistance. Additionally, AW00178, alone or in combination with TRAIL, induced the activation of c-Jun and inactivation of Akt. A pharmacologic inhibition study revealed that c-Jun activation and Akt inactivation were strongly related to CHOP induction and survivin down-regulation, respectively. In summary, these results suggested that AW00178 mediated sensitization to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in H1299 cells by increasing sensitivity and decreasing resistance to TRAIL via the induction of c-Jun-dependent CHOP expression and the reduction of Akt-dependent survivin expression, respectively.     

Putative tumor suppressor Lats2 induces apoptosis through downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L)

Lats2, also known as Kpm, is the second mammalian member of the novel Lats tumor suppressor gene family. Recent studies have demonstrated that Lats2 negatively regulates the cell cycle by controlling G1/S and/or G2/M transition. To further understand the role of Lats2 in the control of human cancer development, we have expressed the protein in human lung cancer cells by transduction of a replication-deficient adenovirus expressing human Lats2 (Ad-Lats2). Using a variety of techniques, including Annexin V uptake, cleavage of PARP, and DNA laddering, we have demonstrated that the ectopic expression of human Lats2 induced apoptosis in two lung cancer cell lines, A549 and H1299. Caspases-3, 7, 8, and 9 were processed in the Ad-Lats2-transduced cells; however, it was active caspase-9, not caspase-8, that initiated the caspase cascade. Inhibitors specific to caspase-3 and 9 delayed the onset of Lats2-mediated apoptosis. Western blot analysis revealed that anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2 and BCL-x(L), but not the pro-apoptotic protein, BAX, were downregulated in Ad-Lats2-transduced human lung cancer cells. Overexpression of either Bcl-2 or Bcl-x(L) in these cells lead to the suppression of Lats2-mediated caspase cleavage and apoptosis. These results show that Lats2 induces apoptosis through downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins, BCL-2 and BCL-x(L), in human lung cancer cells.