Cbl-regulated Akt and ERK signals are involved in β-elemene-induced cell apoptosis in lung cancer cells
- Authors:
- Published online on: August 11, 2011 https://doi.org/10.3892/mmr.2011.548
- Pages: 1243-1246
Metrics: Total
Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Abstract
β-elemene is an active component of a natural plant-derived antineoplastic agent. Although the anticancer activity of β-elemene has been reported, its antitumor mechanism has not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate how Cbl-regulated Akt and ERK affect β-elemene-induced cell apoptosis in lung cancer cells. In the present study, β-elemene induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner in A549 cells. Moreover, β-elemene decreased bcl-2 expression, increased bax expression and caused the cleavage of PARP. However, β-elemene also induced the phosphorylation of Akt and ERK in a short period of time. The inhibition of Akt and ERK activation rapidly enhanced β-elemene-induced apoptosis, and the up-regulation of c-Cbl and Cbl-b expression was also detected. These results suggest that Cbl-regulated Akt and ERK signals are involved in β-elemene-induced cell apoptosis in lung cancer cells.
