The PI3K-Akt pathway in SN-38-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell lines

Shizue Yoshioka, Shigeru Tatebe, Naruo Tokuyasu, Kenjiro Taniguchi, Yoshimi Ogami, Osamu Yamamoto, Keigo Ashida, Yoshihito Gomyo, Akira Kondo, Shunichi Tsujitani, Masahide Ikeguchi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

SN-38, an active metabolite of a topoisomerase I inhibitor, CPT-11, exhibits a cytotoxic effect by inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K)-Akt signaling is known to protect a variety of cells from apoptosis. The relationship between resistance to SN-38-induced apoptosis and the PI3K-Akt pathway in human gastric cancer cells is unknown. Here, we did an investigation using two gastric cancer cell lines, MKN1 and MKN45. Cell viability was determined by sodium 3′-[1- (phenylaminocarbonyl)-3,4-tetrazolium]-bis(4-methoxy-6-nitro) benzene sulfonic acid hydrate (XTT) assay. Apoptosis was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy using Hoechst 33342 staining. Expression levels of phospho-Akt (pAkt) were determined by Western blotting. After being treated with SN-38, the populations of sub-G1 cells were induced by flow cytometry in 36.8% of MKN45 cells more frequently than in 13.5% of MKN1 cells. SN-38 inhibited the expression of pAkt dose-dependently in MKN45 cells, but not in MKN1 cells. In MKN1 cells, an additional pretreatment with the PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, led to the inhibition of pAkt expression and induced apoptosis. The results suggested that SN-38 induces apoptosis by decreasing PI3K-Akt survival signaling, the anti-apoptotic signals, in human gastric cancer cells. Akt inhibitor might be a useful anti-tumor agent in combination with CPT-11.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7-16
Number of pages10
JournalYonago Acta Medica
Volume48
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 03-2005

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The PI3K-Akt pathway in SN-38-induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer cell lines'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this