Inhibition of p21 and Akt potentiates SU6656-induced caspase-independent cell death in FRO anaplastic thyroid carcinoma cells.

Abstract

SU6656 is a small-molecule indolinone that selectively inhibits Src family kinase and induces death of cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of SU6656 on cell survival and to assess the role of p21 and PI3K/Akt signaling in cell survival resulting from SU6656 treatment in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) cells. When 8505C, CAL62, and FRO ATC cells were treated with SU6656, the viability of 8505C and CAL62 ATC cells decreased only after treatment with SU6656 at a dosage of 100 μM for 72 h, while the viability of FRO ATC cells decreased after treatment with SU6656 in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Cell viability was not changed by pretreatment with the broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Phospho-Src protein levels were reduced, and p21 protein levels were elevated. Phospho-ERK1/2 protein levels were multiplied without alteration of total ERK1/2, total Akt, and phospho-Akt protein levels. Regarding FRO ATC cells, the decrement of cell viability, the increment of cleaved PARP-1 protein levels, and the decrement of phospho-Src protein levels were shown in p21 siRNA- or LY294002-pretreated cells compared to SU6656-treated control cells. ERK1/2 siRNA transfection did not affect cell viability and protein levels of cleaved PARP-1, p21, and Akt. In conclusion, these results suggest that SU6656 induces caspase-independent death of FRO ATC cells by overcoming the resistance mechanism involving p21 and Akt. Suppression of p21 and Akt enhances the cytotoxic effect of SU6656 in FRO ATC cells.

• Authors: S H Kim, J G Kang, C S Kim, S-H Ihm, M G Choi, H J Yoo, S J Lee
• Journal: Hormone and metabolic research = Hormon- und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones et metabolisme (Horm Metab Res) Vol. 45 Issue 6 Pg. 408-14 (Jun 2013) ISSN: 1439-4286 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 23386415 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

Chemical References

• CDKN1A protein, human
• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
• Indoles
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors
• SU 6656
• Sulfonamides
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
• Caspases

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Caspases (genetics, metabolism)
• Cell Death (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 (genetics, metabolism)
• Down-Regulation (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects)
• Humans
• Indoles (pharmacology)
• Protein Kinase Inhibitors (pharmacology)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt (antagonists & inhibitors, genetics, metabolism)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)
• Sulfonamides (pharmacology)
• Thyroid Neoplasms (drug therapy, genetics, metabolism, physiopathology)