抑制survivin表达对软骨多糖诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡的增敏作用

目的:研究靶向抑制survivin表达对软骨多糖诱导乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡的影响.方法:将survivin-siRNA转染乳腺癌MCF-7细胞.用定量PCR和Western-blotting检测转染后细胞内survivin基因表达水平,流式细胞仪和Hochest染色检测细胞凋亡的改变.结果:软骨多糖可抑制MCF-7细胞的生长,其生长抑制率与药物浓度和作用时间呈依赖关系;软骨多糖作用MCF-7细胞后,survivin表达降低;转染survivin-siRNA能促进软骨多糖诱导MCF-7细胞凋亡.结论:靶向抑制survivin表达对软骨多糖诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡具有增敏作用.     

SCE诱导MCF-7细胞凋亡及其相关基因表达的研究

目的观察鲨鱼软骨提取物(SCE)对MCF-7细胞凋亡的诱导作用,并进一步研究在此过程中BCL-2和Caspase-3的表达.方法将不同浓度的SCE作用于MCF-7细胞,观察其作用的时间效应及剂量效应;在光镜和电镜下观察其形态变化;用流式细胞术分析细胞DNA含量的改变;用免疫组织化学法观察在此过程中BCL-2和Caspase-3的表达.结果 SCE 能抑制MCF-7细胞生长,在一定剂量和时间范围内引起细胞凋亡,并显示剂量和时间效应, 在此过程中BCL-2蛋白表达减弱.结论 SCE 能明显抑制MCF-7细胞体外生长,并可诱导MCF-7细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与下调Bcl-2蛋白的表达水平有关.     

脱氧核酶抑制Akt1基因对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞生长的影响

目的应用脱氧核酶抑制Akt1的表达,观察MCF-7乳腺癌细胞生长及凋亡情况。方法采用噻唑蓝比色法（MTT）检测脱氧核酶抑制MCF-7乳腺癌细胞增殖作用;DAPI染色法分析细胞凋亡形态学的变化;流式细胞术检测脱氧核酶对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞凋亡的影响;运用蛋白免疫印迹检测分析Akt1、pro—caspase-3、pro-caspase-9的变化。结果Aktl脱氧核酶对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞在体外的生长具有抑制作用;DRz1组的细胞早期凋亡率显著高于未处理组;荧光显微镜下可见典型的凋亡形态学变化;脱氧核酶作用后,免疫印迹检测Aktl蛋白表达降低,pro—caspase-3、9均被活化。结论AktlDRzl能有效下调MCF-7乳腺癌细胞Akt1的蛋白表达水平,抑制MCF-7细胞的生长,且凋亡途径可能依赖于caspase-3、9的相关的线粒体凋亡途径。     

软骨多糖对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞VEGF和bFGF的表达影响

目的:研究软骨多糖对乳腺癌血管生成抑制作用的机制.方法:选用MCF-7人乳腺癌细胞系体外培养,应用MTT法检测细胞生长抑制率;HE染色法观察细胞形态学变化;免疫荧光检测VEGF、bFGF蛋白表达.软骨多糖浓度为200 μg.ml-1.结果:MTT实验结果表明软骨多糖能够显著抑制人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的生长,且呈现一定的浓度依赖性和时间依赖性.HE染色观察结果表明乳腺癌细胞MCF-7经软骨多糖作用后,细胞开始出现凋亡现象,如产生空泡、胞膜扩散、胞质外溢、形态变圆、胞核皱缩等,最终导致大量细胞破碎死亡.免疫荧光实验结果表明软骨多糖对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的VEGF和bFGF两种血管生长因子的合成与分泌有显著的抑制作用,且抑制呈浓度与时间依赖性.结论:软骨多糖对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7有直接杀伤作用,并可能通过抑制乳腺癌细胞VEGF和bFGF的合成分泌而抑制乳腺癌的血管生成.     

硫酸化茯苓多糖对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7凋亡的影响

为了探讨硫酸化茯苓多糖(SP)对人乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7凋亡的影响,采用MTT法检测不同浓度、作用时间SP对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的抑制作用,倒置显微镜观察MCF-7细胞的形态学变化,RT-PCR检测SP处理MCF-7细胞凋亡相关基因(Bcl-2,Bax)的表达;Western blotting技术检测SP对乳腺癌细胞凋亡蛋白Bcl-2、Bax表达变化。结果表明,SP对MCF-7细胞增殖有抑制作用,且在一定范围内呈剂量效应;细胞贴壁能力减弱,细胞间隙增大,胞膜褶皱;Bcl-2基因表达水平和蛋白表达水平明显降低(p0.05),Bax基因表达水平和蛋白表达水平明显升高(p0.05)。基于以上研究,SP通过促凋亡基因Bax的表达,抑制抗凋亡基因Bcl-2的表达来下调Bcl-2/Bax比值,激活凋亡途径,诱导MCF-7细胞的凋亡。     

软骨多糖对L1210白血病小鼠生长抑制作用的研究

目的:研究软骨多糖对L1210白血病小鼠的生长抑制作用,并探讨其抑瘤作用机理。方法:建立DBA/2小鼠L1210腹水瘤模型,将小鼠分为对照组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组进行实验,通过腹腔注射软骨多糖治疗,每天称重并记录小鼠的生存时间,计算生命延长率。于0h、24h、48h、72h抽取治疗组小鼠的腹水瘤细胞进行细胞周期的分析;采用常规HE染色观察细胞形态学变化;应用免疫荧光方法检测BCL-2和BAD蛋白表达变化,以进一步探讨软骨多糖的抑瘤机制。结果:软骨多糖可以明显提高DBA/2小鼠的生存率;细胞形态学观察可见细胞出现细胞浆浓缩、核固缩及凋亡小体等现象;软骨多糖作用后的L1210细胞,其细胞周期被阻遏于Go/G1期,24h-48h凋亡率迅速上升;Bad蛋白的表达水平于给药24h-72h后升高,抗凋亡基因Bcl-2表达下降。结论:软骨多糖可能通过影响肿瘤细胞周期和Bad、Bcl-2蛋白的表达来诱导L1210细胞凋亡,并显著抑制肿瘤细胞的生长,延长DBA/2小鼠的生存时间,是一种新型的抑癌活性物质。     

二烯丙基二硫诱导人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡及机制的研究

目的:研究二烯丙基二硫(DADS)诱导人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡及其分子机制。方法:AO／EB荧光染色法、流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率;Western blot法检测DADS对caspase-3剪切片断的影响,及对MAPKs通路相关蛋白,包括p-JNK、JNK表达的影响。结果:DADS对乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7生长具有明显的抑制作用,经AO／EB形态变化分析,可见明显的细胞凋亡特征;DADS处理MCF-7细胞6、12、24、48 h,流式细胞仪检测细胞的凋亡率分别为3．74％、9．22％、20.2％、42％,而对照组细胞的凋亡率仅为3．03％(P<0．05);不同浓度的DADS作用于MCF-7细胞24 h后,Western blot法检测发现caspase-3出现断裂片断,并随着浓度的增加断裂更明显。进一步研究发现,DADS处理MCF-7细胞后,JNK磷酸化水平明显升高。结论:DADS能诱导乳腺癌细胞株MCF-7细胞凋亡,JNK信号通路抑制可能是DADS诱导其调亡的分子机制之一。     

腺病毒载体AdING4 对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的增殖抑制及化疗增敏作用

目的:研究腺病毒载体AdING4对人MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的生长抑制及化疗增敏作用。方法:将搭载有ING-4基因的重组腺病毒载体AdING4感染人MCF-7乳腺癌细胞,用荧光显微镜观察感染后的MCF-7细胞形态学变化;RT-PCR和Western-Blot法检测ING-4基因在MCF-7细胞中的转录和表达;RT-PCR法检测凋亡相关基因在MCF-7细胞中的表达;CCK法测定Ad-ING4感染MCF-7乳腺癌细胞后所发挥的细胞增殖抑制作用。流式细胞技术检测ING-4对MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的促凋亡作用。CCK-8法分别测定病毒感染前后的MCF-7乳腺癌细胞的药物半数抑制浓度IC50,并观察Ad-ING4与化疗药物合用后对MCF-7细胞增殖抑制和化疗增敏现象。结果:MCF-7细胞在转染ING-4基因后,明显出现变圆、脱落、皱缩、聚集等现象;外源性ING-4基因在MCF-7细胞中获得成功表达;外源性ING-4基因作用下MCF-7细胞的增殖受到了明显抑制,凋亡率有所升高,凋亡相关基因Bax的表达水平明显上调,Bcl-2、Survivin的表达水平明显下调。ING-4基因感染MCF-7细胞后,使MCF-7细胞对相关化疗药物的敏感度更高;ING-4基因与化疗药物合用后对MCF-7细胞的增殖抑制作用,较之单用化疗药物更为明显。结论:MCF-7细胞在转染ING4基因后其增殖受到了明显抑制并更易凋亡,该现象可能是通过改变Bax,Bcl-2及Survivin表达水平来实现的,且对化疗药物的敏感性更高。     

积雪草甙对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡及VEGF、bFGF蛋白表达水平的影响

目的:探讨积雪草甙对乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡及VEGF、bFGF蛋白表达水平的影响。方法:选取人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7细胞系进行体外培养后,根据是否进行积雪草甙干预而分为两组,应用积雪草苷进行干预后,HE染色后用光学显微镜法观察细胞形态学变化,干预后的24h、48h以及72h时,应用TUNEL技术对对细胞凋亡情况进行检测,同时应用免疫荧光法检测血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和碱性成纤维细胞生长因子(bFGF)的表达。结果:(1)与对照组相比较,积雪草甙干预的乳腺癌MCF-7细胞出现空泡、胞质外溢以及胞核皱缩等细胞凋亡现象,大量癌MCF-7细胞发生破碎死亡;(2)TUNEL技术法检测结果证实积雪草甙能够提高人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡率,与对照组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),且呈时间依赖性;(3)积雪草甙干预的MCF-7细胞VEGF阳性表达和bFGF阳性表达显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05),积雪草甙的抑制作用且呈时间依赖性。结论:积雪草甙不仅能够促进乳腺癌MCF-7细胞凋亡,而且能够降低VEGF和bFGF表达。     

磺化壳聚糖对MCF-7的体外抑制作用研究

目的:研究磺化壳聚糖(SCTS)对体外培养的人乳腺癌细胞的增殖抑制和凋亡的作用.方法:用不同浓度磺化壳聚糖对体外培养人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7进行干预,MTT法检测SCTS对MCF-7细胞增殖的抑制作用;显微荧光法、流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡.结果:磺化壳聚糖抑制MCF-7细胞增殖,且呈时间、剂量依赖性;镜下可见凋亡细胞的形态学改变、FCM显示G0/G1期细胞增加,而S期细胞减少.结论:磺化壳聚糖可有效抑制人乳腺癌细胞MCF-7增殖,促进细胞凋亡.     

甲基莲心碱抗乳腺癌 MCF-7细胞的研究

目的:观察甲基莲心碱对乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨其诱导乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7凋亡的可能作用机制。方法:采用体外培养人乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7,CCK-8实验检测不同浓度甲基莲心碱对MCF-7细胞增殖抑制作用;乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)试剂盒(微板法)检测细胞上清液LDH含量;流式细胞术分析甲基莲心碱对MCF-7细胞周期及凋亡的影响;实时定量PCR(RT-PCR)检测线粒体凋亡相关基因Bax和Bcl-2的表达水平。结果:CCK-8、LDH结果显示甲基莲心碱以时间、浓度依耐性的方式抑制乳腺癌MCF-7细胞的增殖及促进细胞毒性的增加;流式细胞术结果表明不同甲基莲心碱作用下MCF-7的平均凋亡率分别为(15.44±0.52)、(18.81±2.24)、(24.26±2.84)、(36.90±3.15)、(59.27±5.86),且使其周期阻滞于G0/G1期;RT-PCR检测结果证明甲基莲心碱可上调乳腺癌细胞中促凋亡基因Bax的表达,而下调抑制凋亡基因Bcl-2。结论:甲基莲心碱以时间和浓度依赖的方式抑制乳腺癌细胞增殖、细胞毒性增加,导致细胞周期于G0/G1阻滞并促进癌细胞凋亡。甲基莲心碱抗乳腺癌的可能作用机制是激活线粒体凋亡途径。     

Antiproliferative and apoptosis-induction studies of 5-hydroxy 3′,4′,7-trimethoxyflavone in human breast cancer cells MCF-7: an in vitro and in silico approach

The aim of this study was to find the efficacy of 5-hydroxy 3′,4′,7-trimethoxyflavone (HTMF), a flavonoid compound isolated from the medicinal plant Lippia nodiflora, in inhibiting the proliferation and inducing apoptosis in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. The anti-proliferative effect of the compound HTMF was confirmed using MTT cytotoxicity assay. Increased apoptotic induction by HTMF was demonstrated by acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EtBr) and Hoechst 33258 staining studies. The phosphatidylserine translocation, an early feature of apoptosis and DNA damage were revealed through AnnexinV-Cy3 staining and comet assay. Moreover, the significant elevation of cellular ROS was observed in the treated cells, as measured by 2,7-diacetyl dichlorofluorescein (DCFH-DA). The mRNA expression studies also supported the effectiveness of HTMF by shifting the Bax:Bcl-2 ratio. The treatment of MCF-7 cells with HTMF encouraged apoptosis through the modulation of apoptotic markers, such as p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved PARP. In silico molecular docking and dynamics studies with MDM2-p53 protein revealed that HTMF was more potent compound that could inhibit the binding of MDM2 with p53 and, therefore, could trigger apoptosis in cancer cell. Overall, this study brings up scientific evidence for the efficacy of HTMF against MCF-7 breast cancer cells.     

Susceptibility to drug-induced apoptosis correlates with differential modulation of Bad, Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL protein levels

To define the responses of apoptotic regulatory proteins to different chemotherapeutic agents, we investigated the expression of Bcl-2 family gene products, the release of cytochrome c, and the activation of pro-caspase-3 during apoptosis induced by Taxol and Thiotepa, in the MCF-7 breast carcinoma and the HL-60 leukemia cell lines. The earliest event induced by drug exposure was increase in Bad protein levels, followed by Bcl-2 down-regulation, cytochrome c release, and Bcl-xL and Bax up-regulation. Bak accumulation was a late event. Activation of pro-caspase-3 and cleavage of Bcl-2 protein occurred in the HL-60 cells only, and followed the cytochrome c release. The overall responses were qualitatively similar in both cell types, but MCF-7 cells treated with Taxol showed a significant delay in apoptosis, correlating with early up-regulation of Bcl-2 and delayed release of cytochrome c. We conclude that Bad up-regulation is an early indicator of a cellular response that will lead to cell death, but may be modulated by survival mechanisms, which cumulatively govern the ultimate susceptibility to apoptosis.     

RNA干涉介导的Plk1沉默对乳腺癌细胞恶性生物表型的影响

目的：研究乳腺癌细胞中丝／苏氨酸蛋白激酶Plk1基因表达下调后对其恶性生物表型的影响。方法：利用pSitencer4．1-CMVneo质粒,分别构建针对Plk1基因的RNA干涉载体（pSilencer4．1-shPlk1）,利用脂质体Lipofectamine2000转染MCF-7细胞,G418筛选稳定的转染细胞系。半定量RT—PCR和Western blot分别检测Plk1基因mRNA和蛋白表达,MTT和克隆形成试验检测细胞增殖活性的变化,流式细胞仪分析细胞周期和凋亡的变化,最后分析MCF-7细胞对紫杉类药物（紫杉醇和多西他赛）化疗敏感性的变化。结果：成功筛选了稳定转染细胞系（MCF-7／shPlk1和MCF-7／shcontro1）。同MCF-7／shPlk1细胞相比,MCF-7／shPtkl细胞中Plk1基因mRNA和蛋白表达水平分别下调65．8％和74．4％（P〈0．05）。同MCF-7／shcontrol,MCF-7tshPlk1细胞增殖速度显著抑制,到第5天时抑制率达到44．9±3．2％（P〈0．05）。同时,MCF-7／shPlk1细胞的克隆形成能力显著降低（P〈0．01）流式细胞仪技术分析细胞周期结果表明：MCF-7／shPlk1细胞的G2／M期细胞比例显著增加了21．1±4．1％,而S期细胞比例则显著降低了（18．5±3．1％;P〈0．05）。流式细胞仪技术分析细胞凋亡结果表明：MCF-7／shPlk1细胞的凋亡率约显著增加了13．1±213％（P〈0．05）,同时还发现：MCF-7／shPlk1细胞中激活的caspase-3蛋白显著增加,Bcl-2蛋白显著降低,而Bax蛋白则显著增加。结论：RNA干涉载体能特异性下调乳腺癌细胞中Plk1基因的表达,从而抑制乳腺癌细胞的增殖和体外克隆形成能力,同时诱导乳腺癌细胞的G2／M期阻滞和细胞凋亡率显著增加。因此,靶向Plk1基因的生物治疗有望成为未来临床乳腺癌的一个重要的辅助治疗策略.     

槟榔碱对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的：观察槟榔碱对人乳腺癌细胞（MCF-7）增殖和凋亡的影响,并探讨其机制。方法：采用四甲基偶氮唑盐（MTT）法检测不同浓度（0、10、30、50、100、300、500μmol/L）槟榔碱对MCF-7细胞增殖的影响,Hoechst 33342染色和流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,Western blot法检测Bax,Bcl-2和P53蛋白表达。结果：低浓度（0、10、30、50μmol/L）槟榔碱不影响细胞的增殖和凋亡;而高浓度（100、300、500 μmol/L）槟榔碱呈浓度依赖性抑制MCF-7细胞增殖、诱导MCF-7细胞凋亡、提高P53和Bax蛋白表达、降低Bcl-2蛋白表达。结论：高浓度槟榔碱抑制MCF-7细胞增殖、诱导凋亡,其机制可能与提高P53和Bax蛋白表达,降低Bcl-2蛋白表达有关。     

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 modulates expression of Bax and Bcl-2 and potentiates p53-independent radiation-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells

We report that transfection of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) cDNA in human breast cancer cell lines expressing either mutant p53 (T47D) or wild-type p53 (MCF-7) induces apoptosis. IGFBP-3 also increases the ratio of pro-apoptotic to anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl-2 family. In MCF-7, an increase in Bad and Bax protein expression and a decrease in Bcl-x(L) protein and Bcl-2 protein and mRNA were observed. In T47D, Bax and Bad proteins were up-regulated; Bcl-2 protein is undetectable in these cells. As T47D expresses mutant p53 protein, these modulations of pro-apoptotic proteins and induction of apoptosis are independent of p53. The effect of IGFBP-3 on the response of T47D to ionizing radiation (IR) was examined. These cells do not G(1) arrest in response to IR and are relatively radioresistant. Transfection of IGFBP-3 increased the radiosensitivity of T47D and increased IR-induced apoptosis but did not effect a rapid G(1) arrest. IR also caused a much greater increase in Bax protein in IGFBP-3 transfectants compared with vector controls. Thus, IGFBP-3 increases the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins and apoptosis both basally and in response to IR, suggesting it may be a p53-independent effector of apoptosis in breast cancer cells via its modulation of the Bax:Bcl-2 protein ratio.     

PPAR??激动剂罗格列酮对人乳腺癌细胞生长 抑制及诱导凋亡作用研究

目的:观察氧化酶体激活物增殖受体(PPARγ)激动剂罗格列酮(ROZ)在体外激活PPARγ后对MCF-7细胞的生长抑制及诱导凋亡作用。方法:MTT法检测ROZ对MCF-7细胞的生长抑制作用;集落形成实验观察ROZ对MCF-7细胞集落形成的影响;不同浓度ROZ作用72h,Hoechst33342染色观察MCF-7细胞的形态变化,流式细胞光度分析术(FCM)检测凋亡细胞百分率以及ROZ对细胞周期的影响;Western blot方法检测ROZ对MCF-7细胞Bcl-2、Caspase-3表达的影响。结果:ROZ可呈剂量依赖性抑制MCF-7细胞的生长及集落形成。ROZ浓度为6×10-5M和3×10-4M时则G1期细胞数明显增加,S期相应减少。Hoechst33342染色经ROZ处理的肿瘤细胞染色质呈颗粒状,且有凋亡小体出现。FCM检测结果显示,ROZ作用72h凋亡细胞数达22.05%。Western blot提示ROZ可抑制Bcl-2表达,促进Caspase3表达。结论:ROZ在体外可抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖并诱导其凋亡,这可能与其抑制Bcl-2表达、促进caspase3表达有关。提示ROZ有望成为乳腺癌治疗药或肿瘤治疗的辅助用药,PPARγ有潜力成为肿瘤治疗的新靶点。     

Glargine promotes proliferation of breast adenocarcinoma cell line MCF-7 via AKT activation

Glargine is widely used as a long-acting insulin analogue in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, this insulin analogue has been recently suspected to be associated with an increased risk of cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of glargine on proliferation of breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF-7) and its possible mechanism. Effects of glargine and regular human insulin on the cell proliferation were tested in ER-positive MCF-7 cells by MTT assay. Apoptosis in MCF-7 cells was measured by flow cytometry. The protein levels of p-AKT, Bcl-2, and Bax were also determined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The result showed that glargine (100, 200?nmol/l) stimulated proliferation of ER-positive MCF-7 cells compared with regular human insulin. At the same time, glargine decreased the percentage of early apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Otherwise, glargine (100?nmol/l) stimulated the p-AKT in a time-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, we found that glargine downregulated the level of Bax protein and upregulated that of Bcl-2 (p <0.05). These data show that glargine promote the proliferation of breast adenocarcinoma cells in vitro, probably by preventing apoptosis.     

灰树花多糖对乳腺癌细胞MCF-7的凋亡作用

采用MTT法测定不同给药浓度的灰树花多糖(PGF) (1、10、20、50、100和200 μg/mL)在24、48和72 h对乳腺癌细胞(MCF-7)增殖的抑制率,并采用Hoechst染色与流式细胞技术观察20、50和100 μg/mL PGF给药24 h后MCF-7的凋亡情况,同时采用Western blotting对20、50、100 μg/mL PGF给药24 h后MCF-7细胞中Bax、Bcl-2、Pro-Caspase-3以及Cleaved Caspase-3的蛋白表达水平进行检测。研究发现PGF给药24、48和72 h后对MCF-7的增殖均有显著的抑制作用。随着PGF给药浓度增加,MCF-7细胞核裂解增多,细胞凋亡数量增多。PGF 20、50和100 μg/mL给药对MCF-7细胞Bax、Bcl-2、Pro-Caspase-3以及Cleaved Caspase-3的蛋白表达水平可见显著性差异。     

Critical role of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis in benzyl isothiocyanate-induced apoptotic cell death

Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC), a constituent of edible cruciferous vegetables, decreases viability of cancer cells by causing apoptosis but the mechanism of cell death is not fully understood. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of Bcl-2 family proteins in BITC-induced apoptosis using MDA-MB-231 (breast), MCF-7 (breast), and HCT-116 (colon) human cancer cells. The B-cell lymphoma 2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim) protein was dispensable for proapoptotic response to BITC in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells as judged by RNA interference studies. Instead, the BITC-treated MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited upregulation of p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA) protein. The BITC-mediated induction of PUMA was relatively more pronounced in MCF-7 cells due to the presence of wild-type p53 compared with MDA-MB-231 with mutant p53. The BITC-induced apoptosis was partially but significantly attenuated by RNA interference of PUMA in MCF-7 cells. The PUMA knockout variant of HCT-116 cells exhibited significant resistance towards BITC-induced apoptosis compared with wild-type HCT-116 cells. Attenuation of BITC-induced apoptosis in PUMA knockout HCT-116 cells was accompanied by enhanced G2/M phase cell cycle arrest due to induction of p21 and down regulation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 protein. The BITC treatment caused a decrease in protein levels of Bcl-xL (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells) and Bcl-2 (MCF-7 cells). Ectopic expression of Bcl-xL in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and that of Bcl-2 in MCF-7 cells conferred protection against proapoptotic response to BITC. Interestingly, the BITC-treated MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited induction of Bcl-2 protein expression, and RNA interference of Bcl-2 in this cell line resulted in augmentation of BITC-induced apoptosis. The BITC-mediated inhibition of MDA-MB-231 xenograft growth in vivo was associated with the induction of PUMA protein in the tumor. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that Bim-independent apoptosis by BITC in cancer cells is mediated by PUMA.