The role of p38 MAPK and JNK in Arsenic trioxide-induced mitochondrial cell death in human cervical cancer cells.

Previously, we have shown that the release of AIF from mitochondria is required for As2O3-induced cell death in human cervical cancer cells, and that reactive oxygen species (ROS) is necessary for AIF release from mitochondria. In this study, we further investigated the role of MAPKs in ROS-mediated mitochondrial apoptotic cell death triggered by As2O3. As2O3-induced apoptotic cell death in HeLa cells was associated with activation and mitochondrial translocation of Bax, a marked phosphorylation of Bcl-2, reduction of Bcl-2 and Bax interaction, dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential. Using small interfering RNA, reduced Bax expression effectively attenuated As2O3-induced mitochondrial membrane potential loss and apoptotic cell death. Moreover, the phosphorylation of Bcl-2 induced by As2O3 diminished its ability to bind to Bax. Treatment of cells with As2O3 activated both the p38 MAPK and JNK pathways. Mitochondrial translocation of Bax was completely suppressed in the presence of p38 MAPK inhibitor PD169316 or si-p38 MAPK. The As2O3-induced Bcl-2 phosphorylation was attenuated largely by JNK inhibition using SP600125 or si-JNK and to some extent by p38 MAPK inhibition with PD169316 or si-p38 MAPK. In addition, N-acetyl-L-cystein (NAC), a thiol-containing anti-oxidant, completely blocked As2O3-induced p38 MAPK and JNK activations, mitochondria translocation of Bax, and phosphorylation of Bcl-2. These results support a notion that ROS-mediated activations of p38 MAPK and JNK in response to As2O3 treatment signals activation of Bax and phosphorylation of Bcl-2, resulting in mitochondrial apoptotic cell death in human cervical cancer cells.

Kang YH ，Lee SJ 《-》

Arachidonic acid-induced apoptosis of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells is mediated through mitochondrial alteration elicited by ROS and Ca(2+)-evoked activation of p38alpha MAPK and JNK1.

Chen KC ，Chang LS 《-》

Ionizing radiation utilizes c-Jun N-terminal kinase for amplification of mitochondrial apoptotic cell death in human cervical cancer cells.

Kim MJ ，Lee KH ，Lee SJ 《FEBS Journal》

Taiwan cobra phospholipase A2-elicited JNK activation is responsible for autocrine fas-mediated cell death and modulating Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression in human leukemia K562 cells.

Chen KC ，Liu WH ，Chang LS 《-》

Tumor growth inhibition by arsenic trioxide (As2O3) in the orthotopic metastasis model of androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Maeda H ，Hori S ，Nishitoh H ，Ichijo H ，Ogawa O ，Kakehi Y ，Kakizuka A ... -  《CANCER RESEARCH》