Rapamycin-induced apoptosis is p53-independent in human prostate carcinoma PC-3 cells
- Authors:
- Published online on: November 1, 1997 https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.11.5.1115
- Pages: 1115-1118
Metrics: Total
Views: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Total PDF Downloads: 0 (Spandidos Publications: | PMC Statistics: )
Abstract
We have investigated the mechanisms of rapamycin-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis in the PC-3 prostate carcinoma cell line. Rapamycin induced apoptosis as well as the expression of p21(waf1) mRNA and protein, independent of p53. Rapamycin treatment also resulted in: a decrease in cdk2 kinase activity; an increase in hypophosphorylated retinoblastoma protein (pRb); a dephosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase; and, growth-arrest in G(1)-phase of cell cycle. These data suggest that rapamycin-induced growth arrest and apoptosis occur through the p53-independent induction of p21(waf1). Since this induction occurred soon after rapamycin treatment, possibly, the early induction of p21(waf1) and G(1)-arrest are important components of the mechanism by which rapamycin induces apoptosis in PC-3 cells.