JNK相互作用蛋白通过JNK途径影响鼻咽癌的增殖和凋亡

EB病毒编码的瘤蛋白潜伏膜蛋白（LMP1）所介导的活化蛋白（AP-1）信号转导途径在细胞增殖、分化、转化与凋亡方面发挥着重要作用.越来越多的证据表明,AP-1信号转导通路中上游激酶JNK在鼻咽癌的发生发展过程中起着重要作用.最近克隆出来的JNK相互作用蛋白(JIP-1)是一种能抑制JNK核移位的胞浆锚蛋白.为探讨JIP在LMP1调控AP-1信号通路中的作用机制,采用间接免疫荧光法和报告基因法,发现JIP通过有效地抑制磷酸化的JNK从胞浆移位入核,从而抑制LMP1上调的AP-1活性.同时,JIP导入鼻咽癌细胞中,MTT法发现JIP能够明显抑制鼻咽癌细胞的生长.进一步发现转染JIP后细胞的集落形成率与对照组相比大约降低了53.6%,也抑制了细胞. 提示JIP可明显抑制细胞的增殖作用.进一步采用流式细胞术分析,结果发现JIP引起细胞G1/S期细胞阻滞,说明JIP是抑制细胞增殖的重要调节子.进一步采用流式细胞术定量发现,转染JIP后细胞的24 h凋亡百分率由1.25%上升到8.25%,上升约6.6倍,48 h由1.04%上升到31.45%,上升约30倍. 采用激光共聚焦显微镜发现,转染JIP后细胞核发生显著变化,核质由均匀状态固缩成高凝集状态,形成了典型的胞膜体.提示JIP可有效地促进细胞凋亡.结果表明,JIP可通过抑制活化的JNK核移位,降低LMP1所介导的AP-1信号通路.并进一步发现JIP可有效地抑制细胞增殖和细胞凋亡,从而提示JIP可作为新的治疗肿瘤潜在靶分子.     

EB病毒LMP-1在鼻咽癌细胞中通过JNK介导AP-1活化

 EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白 1 (latentmembraneprotein 1 ,LMP 1 )活化激活蛋白 1 (activatorprotein 1 ,AP 1 )信号传导途径与其致瘤作用密切相关 .为了探讨LMP 1活化AP 1信号传导的分子机制 ,在可诱导调控LMP 1表达的鼻咽癌细胞系L7中 ,首先通过荧光酶双报道系统确定了LMP 1表达能激活AP 1 ;在此基础上 ,用c JunPathDetect系统确定LMP 1表达活化AP 1是通过c Jun的磷酸化 (活化 )介导 .虽然LMP 1不能上调c Jun上游主要调节激酶c JunN端激酶 (c JunN terminalkinase ,JNK)的蛋白表达 ,但能显著促进JNK的磷酸化 (活化 ) ;在L7细胞中导入JNK相互作用蛋白 (JNK interactingprotein ,JIP)基因 ,抑制JNK的核移位能显著抑制LMP 1诱导的AP 1活化 ,同时对NFкВ活化也有部分抑制作用 .结果表明 ,EB病毒LMP 1在鼻咽癌细胞中通过JNK介导AP 1活化     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1调控细胞凋亡的cDNA阵列分析

为探讨EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白（LMP1）介导细胞凋亡和抑制细胞凋亡双重效应的机制,采用已建立的受四环素调控的LMP1表达的鼻咽癌系统（pTet-on-LMP1 HNE2),定量诱导pTet-on-LMP1 HNE2细胞LMP1动态表达,分别与含有细胞凋亡相关基因为主的Atlas apoptosis cDNA expression array膜杂交,分析LMP1介导 的表达差异基因。结果表明：①LMP1介导细胞凋亡和抑制细胞凋亡的基因的表达,同时上调或下调某些细胞凋亡相关基因的表达;②LMP1不仅介导细胞凋亡和抑制凋亡基因的表达,同时介导细胞分裂分化和增殖基因的表达,LMP1同时介导功能不同甚至功能相反的基因表达;③LMP1介导的基因表达与其表达持续时间和表达水平相关,不同表达水平和不同表达时间介导的基因表达谱不同。因此,LMP1具有介导细胞凋亡和抑制凋亡基因表达的双重生物学效应,同时介导细胞增殖、细胞周期、细胞凋亡等多种生物学效应基因的表达,从而参与细胞的癌变。     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1在鼻咽癌细胞中通过ERK介导Ets-1表达

为了探讨EB病毒编码的潜伏膜蛋白1(LMP1)对核转录因子Ets-1表达和活化的影响,并证实细胞外信号调节激酶1/2（ERK1/2）参与了该过程,选用可调控表达LMP1的鼻咽癌细胞系L7,应用蛋白质印迹法检测Ets-1、p-ERK蛋白质表达,免疫共沉淀-蛋白质印迹法检测Ets-1磷酸化状态,使用ERK1/2特异性小分子阻断物PD98059作用后,蛋白质印迹法检测p-ERK、Ets-1表达及磷酸化变化.结果显示：在L7细胞中诱导性LMP1可促进p-ERK、Ets-1蛋白质表达及其苏氨酸残基磷酸化,在一定范围呈时间和剂量效应;通过PD98059对诱导性LMP1作用的干预发现,p-ERK大部分表达被阻断,而Ets-1表达及其苏氨酸磷酸化也被部分阻断,以上结果提示ERK部分介导了LMP1诱导Ets-1表达和活化.     

GCG干预LMP1激活的NF-κB信号转导通路中的靶分子

为阐明在鼻咽癌 (nasopharyngealcarcinoma,NPC)细胞中茶多酚干预EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白 1(latentmembraneprotein 1,LMP1)激活的NF κB信号转导通路中的靶分子 ,采用EBV阴性及阳性的鼻咽癌细胞系CNE1和CNE1 LMP1细胞 ,利用噻唑蓝 (MTT)法 ,观察表没食子儿茶素没食子酸酯 (EGCG)对CNE1和CNE1 LMP1细胞生存率的影响 .采用瞬间转染及报道基因法观察EGCG对NF κB活性的作用 .利用间接免疫荧光法 ,观察EGCG对NF κB (p6 5 )核移位的影响 ,再分别提取CNE1和CNE1 LMP1的胞浆及胞核蛋白 ,通过蛋白质印迹分析EGCG抑制NF κB (p6 5 )的核移位后胞浆及胞核蛋白中NF κB (p6 5 )的变化 .采用蛋白质印迹分析EGCG对IκBα的磷酸化水平的影响 .采用瞬间转染及报道基因法观察EGCG对EGFR启动子活性的影响 ,并用蛋白质印迹分析EGCG对EGFR自身磷酸化的作用 .结果表明EGCG对鼻咽癌细胞的抑制作用有剂量依赖性 ,并可抑制NF κB的活性 .EGCG能抑制NF κB (p6 5 )的核移位 ,并抑制IκBα的磷酸化 .EGCG对NF κB信号通路下游的靶基因EGFR的启动子活性及自身磷酸化都有抑制作用 .由上述结果可以推断 ,EGCG对信号转导通路上的NF κB、NF κB (p6 5 )、IκBα、EGFR多个靶点分子具有干预作用 .LMP1是EB病毒编码的蛋白质 ,因此 ,EGCG抑制     

慢病毒载体介导RNAi稳定抑制XIAP表达及对胰腺癌细胞增殖、凋亡影响的实验研究

目的:探讨运用慢病毒载体介导的RNA干扰技术对X-连锁凋亡抑制蛋白(XIAP)的抑制效率及对胰腺癌细胞增殖、凋亡的影响,建立XIAP表达稳定抑制的胰腺癌细胞株.方法:应用pGJCSIL-PUR慢病毒载体构建针对XIAP的ShRNA载体,转染包装细胞293T,收集病毒上清转染胰腺癌细胞系SW1990,经嘌呤霉素(puromycin)筛选并扩大培养得到稳定克隆;实时荧光定量PCR和western-blot免疫印迹检测癌细胞内XIAP的表达:四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)比色法检测细胞增殖;caspase3/7活性测定和DAPI染色检测细胞凋亡.结果:成功构建3个XIAP-ShRNA慢病毒栽体(X1、X2、X3)及XIAP表达稳定抑制的胰腺癌细胞株,对XIAP的抑制效率均达70%以上;MTT检测显示X1、X3稳定抑制XIAP后胰腺癌细胞增殖明显减慢,但caspase3/7活性及细胞凋亡并没有明显增加.结论:慢病毒栽体介导的靶向XIAP的RNAi可有效抑制XIAP表达,降低胰腺癌细胞的增殖能力;成功建立的XIAP表达稳定抑制的胰腺癌细胞株为进一步研究打下基础.     

EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白1调节EGF受体核移位

EB病毒编码的病毒潜伏膜蛋白1(LMP1)是重要的致瘤蛋白, 一直以来是EB病毒致瘤机制的研究核心. 传统的受体学说认为, 细胞膜受体作为第一信使, 在细胞膜上与其配体结合发挥生物学效应. 但近年来, 对EGFR家族成员受体核移位在基因表达调控中意义的研究, 拓宽了人们对细胞膜受体生物学功能的认识. 利用我们建立的Tet-on系统调控LMP1表达的细胞系, 采用Western blot和激光共聚焦显微镜等技术证实, LMP1可调控EGFR的核移位, 并呈一定的剂量效应. 通过GFP与EGFR及不同突变体的融合蛋白在细胞内的表达发现, EGFR的核定位信号在其核移位过程中起着一定的作用, 并初步发现LMP1调控EGFR核移位为配体非依赖性.     

CRISPR/Cas9介导的LATS1/2敲除抑制卵巢癌细胞ES-2增殖

Hippo信号通路在哺乳动物肝脏发育、动态平衡、再生和疾病中发挥非常重要的作用。大肿瘤抑制基因1/2（large tumor suppressor 1/2, LATS1/2）激酶是Hippo信号通路的关键激酶,可以磷酸化YES相关蛋白（yes-associated protein,YAP）,从而调节YAP的核质定位和降解。本文采用CRISPR/Cas9方法构建慢病毒介导的Last1/2基因敲除的载体,通过包装、感染和嘌呤霉素筛选,获得LATS1/2部分敲除的人卵巢癌ES-2和H08910细胞,免疫印迹方法检测LATS1/2表达明显减少。细胞增殖实验检测LATS1/2缺失明显抑制ES-2和HO8910细胞增殖。软琼脂克隆形成实验表明,LATS1/2缺失抑制卵巢癌ES-2细胞的克隆形成能力。细胞划痕和Transwell实验证明,LATS1/2缺失明显抑制卵巢癌ES-2细胞迁移。流式细胞检测发现,LATS1/2敲除促进卵巢癌ES-2细胞凋亡并影响细胞周期。裸鼠成瘤实验表明,LATS1/2缺失明显抑制体内肿瘤组织增殖。分子机制研究表明, LATS1/2敲除促进卵巢癌ES-2细胞中胶原I型α1（collagen type I α1,ColIα1）基因表达量增加,在卵巢癌ES-2细胞中同时敲除LATS1/2和COL1A1,可以促进细胞克隆形成。综上结果,人卵巢癌ES-2细胞中LATS1/2缺失能促进COL1A1表达增加, 从而抑制细胞增殖、转移和克隆形成,并影响细胞周期和促进细胞凋亡。     

鼻咽癌中EB病毒LMP1激活TRAFs的初步研究

在EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白LMP1介导的信号传导通路中,TRAFs作为LMP1活化的第一位信号分子,可能扮演着重要的分子开关角色。令人关注的是,在上皮性肿瘤NPC的发生中,EB病毒LMP1能否激活重要的TRAFs信号分子?究竟激活何种TRAFs信号分子,激活的机制何在?将LMP1cDNA导入LMP1表达阴性的HNE2中,建立稳定表达LMP1的鼻咽癌细胞系HNE2-LMP1。以此为材料,应用差异RT-PCR和Western blotting法证实,无论在RNA水平,还是蛋白水平上,TRAF1在HNE2-LMP1中表达较HNE2强,而TRAF2及TRAF3在HNE2-LMP1与HNE2细胞中表达无明显差异;进一步用免疫共沉淀-Western blotting证实LMP1可使TRAF1、TRAF2、TRAF3磷酸化而被活化。这些结果提示在鼻咽癌中,LMP1可能诱导TRAF1表达,而对TRAF2及TRAF3并不影响,但LMP1可磷酸化TRAF1、TRAF2、TRAF3而使其功能性活化。q     

鼻咽癌中EB病毒LMP1激活TRAFs的初步研究

在EB病毒潜伏膜蛋白LMP1介导的信号传导通路中,TRAFs作为LMP1活化的第一位信号分子,可能扮演着重要的分子开关角色,令人关注的是,在上皮性肿瘤NPC的发生中,EB病毒LMP1能否激活重要的TRAFs信号分子？究竟激活何种TRAFs信号分子,激活的机制何在？将LMP1 cDNA导入LMP1表达阴性的HNE2中,建立稳定表达LMP1的劓咽癌细胞系：HNE2－LMP1。以此为材料,应用差异RT－PCR和Western blotting法证实,无论在RNA水平,还是蛋白水平上,TRAF1在HNE2－LMP1中表达较HNE2强,而TRAF2及TRAF3在HNE2－LMP1与HNE2细胞中表达无明显差异;进一步用免疫共沉淀－Western blotting证实LMP1可使TRAF1、TRAF2、TRAF3磷酸化耐被活化,这些结果提示在鼻咽癌中,LMP1可能诱导TRAF1表达,而对TRAF2及TRAF3并不影响,但LMP1可磷酸化TRAF1、TRAF2、TRAF3面使其功能性活化。     

Apolipoprotein C1 promotes prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro

Here, we aimed to investigate the carcinogenic effects of apolipoprotein C1 (APOC1) in prostate cancer (PCa). APOC1 expression was evaluated in PCa and normal prostate specimens, and lentivirus‐mediated RNA interference was used to knockdown APOC1 in DU145 cells. The effects of APOC1 silencing on cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis were assessed. APOC1 expression was much higher in PCa tissues than in normal tissues. Moreover, APOC1 silencing inhibited cell proliferation and colony formation, arrested cell cycle progression, and enhanced apoptosis in DU145 cells. Additionally, APOC1 silencing decreased survivin, phospho‐Rb, and p21 levels and increased cleaved caspase‐3 expression. These data supported the procarcinogenic effects of APOC1 in the pathogenesis of PCa and suggested that targeting APOC1 may have applications in the treatment of PCa.     

Dephosphorylation of threonine-821 of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb) is required for apoptosis induced by UV and Cdk inhibition

The Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is important in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Its activity is controlled by reversible phosphorylation on several serine and threonine residues. When Rb is hypophosphorylated, it inhibits proliferation by preventing passage through the G₁- S phase transition. Hyperphosphorylated Rb promotes cell cycle progression. The role of Rb phosphorylation in the control of apoptosis is largely unknown, although several apoptotic stimuli result in dephosphorylation of Rb. It may be that dephosphorylation of specific amino acids signals apoptosis vs. cell cycle arrest. Using glutamic acid mutagenesis, we have generated 15 single phosphorylation site mutants of Rb to alter serine/threonine to glutamic acid to mimic the phosphorylated state. By calcium phosphate transfection, mutant plasmids were introduced into C33A Rb-null cells, and apoptosis was induced using UV. Apoptosis was measured by ELISA detection of degraded DNA and by immunoblotting to assess proteolytic cleavage of PARP. Our results show that only mutation of threonine-821 to glutamic acid (T821E) blocked apoptosis by 50%, whereas other sites tested had little effect. In Rb-null Saos-2 and SKUT-1 cells, the T821E mutation also blocked apoptosis induced by the cdk inhibitor, Roscovitine, by 50%. In addition, we show that endogenous Rb is dephosphorylated on threonine-821 when cells are undergoing apoptosis. Thus, our data indicates that dephosphorylation of threonine-821 of Rb is required for cells to undergo apoptosis.     

Dephosphorylation of threonine-821 of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein (Rb) is required for apoptosis induced by UV and Cdk inhibition

The Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is important in the control of cell proliferation and apoptosis. Its activity is controlled by reversible phosphorylation on several serine and threonine residues. When Rb is hypophosphorylated, it inhibits proliferation by preventing passage through the G₁- S phase transition. Hyperphosphorylated Rb promotes cell cycle progression. The role of Rb phosphorylation in the control of apoptosis is largely unknown, although several apoptotic stimuli result in dephosphorylation of Rb. It may be that dephosphorylation of specific amino acids signals apoptosis vs. cell cycle arrest. Using glutamic acid mutagenesis, we have generated 15 single phosphorylation site mutants of Rb to alter serine/threonine to glutamic acid to mimic the phosphorylated state. By calcium phosphate transfection, mutant plasmids were introduced into C33A Rb-null cells, and apoptosis was induced using UV. Apoptosis was measured by ELISA detection of degraded DNA and by immunoblotting to assess proteolytic cleavage of PARP. Our results show that only mutation of threonine-821 to glutamic acid (T821E) blocked apoptosis by 50%, whereas other sites tested had little effect. In Rb-null Saos-2 and SKUT-1 cells, the T821E mutation also blocked apoptosis induced by the cdk inhibitor, Roscovitine, by 50%. In addition, we show that endogenous Rb is dephosphorylated on threonine-821 when cells are undergoing apoptosis. Thus, our data indicates that dephosphorylation of threonine-821 of Rb is required for cells to undergo apoptosis.     

siRNA沉默SIRT1基因对宫颈癌细胞HeLa增殖和凋亡的影响

化学合成靶向SIRT1基因的小干扰RNA,脂质体法转染人宫颈癌细胞株HeLa,观察小干扰RNA沉默SIRT1基因对HeLa增殖及细胞凋亡的影响。在优化siRNA SIRT1转染条件的基础上,应用RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测各组SIRT1 mRNA、SIRT1蛋白及凋亡相关蛋白的表达;CCK-8法检测细胞增殖抑制率;Hoechst荧光染色法和流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡。结果表明,siRNA SIRT1转染细胞组SIRT1 mRNA水平和蛋白表达量明显低于对照组;siRNA SIRT1转染组细胞增殖受抑制,细胞凋亡率明显增加;凋亡相关蛋白P53、P21表达上调,Survivin表达下调。上述结果表明:siRNA SIRT1诱导的HeLa细胞凋亡与P53、P21、Survivin通路关系密切,但siRNA SIRT1诱导HeLa细胞凋亡的详尽机制有待进一步研究。     

TGF-β1 regulates cell fate during epithelial–mesenchymal transition by upregulating survivin

Members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) superfamily are multifunctional cytokines that regulate several cellular processes, including cell cycle arrest, differentiation, morphogenesis, and apoptosis. TGF-β promotes extracellular matrix production and morphological change. Morphogenetic responses to TGF-β include cell migration and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), which are critical during embryogenesis, development of fibrotic diseases, and the spreading of advanced carcinomas. The purpose of this study was to clarify how TGF-β regulates the fate of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. TGF-β1 promoted cell cycle progression and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) in ARPE-19 cells. TGF-β1 induced survivin expression, which in turn stabilized tubulin and Aurora B. RT-PCR and western blot analysis revealed that survivin expression increased in ARPE-19 cells following TGF-β1 treatment. When survivin was depleted, TGF-β1 induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and also reduced Rb phosphorylation. In conclusion, the present study shows that induction of EMT in human RPE cells upregulates survivin, leading to survivin-dependent inhibition of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Whether cells undergo EMT or apoptosis in response to TGF-β1 is dependent on their cell cycle state, and TGF-β1 regulates the cell cycle via survivin.     

人同源盒基因NKX3.1对前列腺癌细胞的诱导凋亡作用

构建人同源盒基因NKX3.1 cDNA真核表达载体,研究其在前列腺癌细胞PC-3、LNCaP 中的表达及对细胞的促凋亡作用.以人前列腺癌细胞LNCaP细胞中的总RNA为模板,RT-PCR扩增NKX3.1基因全长编码片段,将NKX3.1 cDNA重组到真核表达载体pcDNA3.1（+）中; 将pcDNA3.1-NKX3.1表达载体瞬时转染前列腺癌细胞PC-3和LNCaP 细胞,用RT-PCR和Western印迹检测NKX3.1 cDNA在转录水平和蛋白水平的表达;绘制细胞生长曲线,观察NKX3.1对前列腺癌细胞增殖的抑制作用;用DNA/ladder和流式细胞术检测NKX3.1对前列腺癌细胞凋亡的影响,进一步用RT PCR检测凋亡相关基因caspase3、caspase8、caspase9、Apaf1、survivin和Bcl2表达的变化.人同源盒基因NKX3.1 cDNA真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-NKX3.1经酶切及测序鉴定正确. pcDNA3.1-NKX3.1转染PC-3和LNCaP细胞后,经RT-PCR和Western印迹证明能有效表达NKX3.1.生长曲线显示,前列腺癌细胞转染NKX3.1 cDNA后细胞增殖受到抑制;前列腺癌细胞转染NKX3.1 cDNA 48 h后,DNA电泳呈现具有凋亡特征的DNA ladder;流式细胞术检测出现明显凋亡峰;RT-PCR检测凋亡相关基因.结果显示,caspase3、caspase8、caspase9基因表达明显增加,Bcl2基因表达明显减少.本研究成功构建了真核表达载体pcDNA3.1 NKX3.1, 转染PC3和LNCaP细胞后能有效表达,并对细胞具有诱导凋亡作用     

Linkage of Curcumin-Induced Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis by Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21/WAF1/CIP1

We have recently shown that curcumin induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells through Bax translocation to mitochondria and caspase activation, and enhances the therapeutic potential of TRAIL. However, the molecular mechanisms by which it causes growth arrest are not well-understood. We studied the molecular mechanism of curcumin-induced cell cycle arrest in prostate cancer androgen-sensitive LNCaP and androgen-insensitive PC-3 cells. Treatment of both cell lines with curcumin resulted in cell cycle arrest at G1/S phase and that this cell cycle arrest is followed by the induction of apoptosis. Curcumin induced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors p16/INK4a, p21/WAF1/CIP1 and p27/KIP1, and inhibited the expression of cyclin E and cyclin D1, and hyperphosphorylation of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. Lactacystin, an inhibitor of 26 proteasome, blocks curcumin-induced down-regulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin E proteins, suggesting their regulation at level of posttranslation. The suppression of cyclin D1 and cyclin E by curcumin may inhibit CDK-mediated phosphorylation of pRb protein. The inhibition of p21/WAF1/CIP1 by siRNA blocks curcumin-induced apoptosis, thus establishing a link between cell cycle and apoptosis. These effects of curcumin result in the proliferation arrest and disruption of cell cycle control leading to apoptosis. Our study suggests that curcumin can be developed as a chemopreventive agent for human prostate cancer.     

Regulation of Survivin and Bcl‐2 in HepG2 Cell Apoptosis Induced by Quercetin

Quercetin, a widely distributed bioflavonoid, has been shown to induce growth inhibition in a variety of human cancer cells. However, the regulation of survivin and Bcl‐2 on the quercetin‐induced cell‐growth inhibition and apoptosis in cancer cells remains unclear. In the present study, we report that quercetin can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in HepG2 cells in dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. Hoechst 33258 and acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB) staining showed that HepG2 cells underwent the typical morphologic changes of apoptosis characterized by nuclear shrinkage, chromatin condensation, or fragmentation after exposure to quercetin. Cell‐cycle analysis reveals a significant increase of the proportion of cells in G₀/G₁ phase. We also demonstrate that the levels of survivin and Bcl‐2 protein expression in HepG2 cells decreased concurrently, and the levels of p53 protein increased significantly after treatment with quercetin by immunocytochemistry analysis. Relative activity of caspase‐3 and caspase‐9 increased significantly. These data clearly indicate that quercetin‐induced apoptosis is associated with caspase activation, and the levels of survivin and Bcl‐2. Our results indicate that the expression of survivin may be associated with Bcl‐2 expression, and the inhibition expression of survivin, in conjunction with Bcl‐2, might cause more pronounced apoptotic effects. Together, concurrent down‐regulated survivin and Bcl‐2 play an important role in HepG2 cell apoptosis induced by quercetin.