Induction of apoptosis in human hepatoblastoma cells by tetrandrine via caspase-dependent Bid cleavage and cytochrome c release.

Abstract

Tetrandrine, a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from the root of Stephania tetrandra, induces apoptosis in human T-cell lines, lung carcinoma and hepatoblastoma cells. However, the mechanisms by which tetrandrine inhibits tumor cell growth are poorly understood. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the intracellular signaling mechanism of tetrandrine-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells. The induction of apoptosis was determined by morphological analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay. Treatment of cells with tetrandrine caused the upregulation of p53, downregulation of Bcl-X(L), cleavage of Bid and Bax, and release of cytochrome c, which were accompanied by activation of caspases 9, 3 and 8. The activation of caspases 9 and 3 preceded that of caspase 8. A broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor and a caspase 8-specific inhibitor completely blocked tetrandrine-induced Bid processing, cytochrome c release, activation of caspase 3, and cell death. These findings and data showing the early release of cytochrome c, cleavage of Bid and downregulation of Bcl-X(L) suggest that the mitochondrial pathway is primarily involved in tetrandrine-induced apoptosis. The activation of caspase 8 after early caspases 9 and 3 activation might act as an amplification loop for activation of upstream signals such as Bid cleavage or cytochrome c release. These data suggest that tetrandrine may constitute a plausible therapeutic for hepatocellular carcinoma.

• Authors: Seon-Hee Oh, Byung-Hoon Lee
• Journal: Biochemical pharmacology (Biochem Pharmacol) Vol. 66 Issue 5 Pg. 725-31 (Sep 01 2003) ISSN: 0006-2952 [Print] England
• PMID: 12948852 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Alkaloids
• Antineoplastic Agents
• BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein
• BID protein, human
• Benzylisoquinolines
• Carrier Proteins
• Cytochrome c Group
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Enzyme Inhibitors
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• tetrandrine
• Caspases

Topics

• Alkaloids (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacology)
• Antineoplastic Agents (antagonists & inhibitors, pharmacology)
• Apoptosis
• BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein
• Benzylisoquinolines
• Carrier Proteins (metabolism)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cytochrome c Group (metabolism)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Enzyme Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Hepatoblastoma (pathology)
• Humans
• Mitochondria (drug effects)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (metabolism)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured