Synergistic effect of ERK inhibition on tetrandrine-induced apoptosis in A549 human lung carcinoma cells

• DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2009.10.1.23
• Publication Date: 2009-04-10T06:40:56Z
• Authors: Hyun Sun Cho; Seung Hee Chang; Youn Sun Chung; Ji Young Shin; Sung Jin Park; Eun Sun Lee; Soon Kyung Hwang; Jung Taek Kwon; Arash Minai Tehrani; Minah Woo; Mi Sook Noh; Huda Hanifah; Hua Jin; Cheng Xiong Xu; Myung Haing Cho
• Keywords: Tetrandrine; LY294002

Tetrandrine (TET), a bis-benzylisoquinoline alkaloid from the root of Stephania tetrandra, is known to have anti-tumor activity in various malignant neoplasms. However, precise mechanism by which TET inhibits tumor cell growth remains be elucidated. The present studies were performed characterize potential effects on phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways since these signaling are responsible for survival. suppressed proliferation induced apoptosis A549 human lung carcinoma cells. treatment resulted down-regulation Akt ERK phosphorylation both time-/concentration-dependent manners. inhibition using PD98059 synergistically enhanced TET-induced cells whereas LY294002 had less significant effect. Taken together, our results suggest that TET: i) selectively cancer blocking activation ii) increases inhibiting ERK. cancers with may enhance efficacy chemotherapy radiotherapy increase apoptotic