Activator protein-1 mediates docosahexaenoic acid-induced apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells

Sun En Lee, Joo Weon Lim, Hyeyoung Kim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) shows anti-inflammatory and/or anticancer effects in some cells. Activator protein-1 (AP-1) regulates cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Although recent studies demonstrate the association between gastric cancer risk and DHA, the exact molecular mechanism has not been clarified. We investigated whether AP-1 mediates DHA-induced apoptosis of gastric cancer cells. We found that DHA induced cell death and DNA fragmentation in parallel with the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) as well as AP-1. DHA increased the protein levels of p53, cytochrome c, and Bax in gastric cancer cells. DHA-induced DNA fragmentation and protein levels of p53, cytochrome c, and Bax were inhibited in the cells transfected with c-jun dominant-negative mutant (TAM67). Because JNK and ERK are upstream signaling for AP-1 activation, we suggest that DHA-induced activation of AP-1 may mediate apoptosis of gastric cancer cells by inducing the expression of apoptotic genes in gastric cancer cells.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationNatural Compounds and Their Role in Apoptotic Cell Signaling Pathways
PublisherBlackwell Publishing Inc.
Pages163-169
Number of pages7
ISBN (Print)9781573317375
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2009
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences
Volume1171
ISSN (Print)0077-8923
ISSN (Electronic)1749-6632

Keywords

  • AP-1
  • Apoptosis
  • DHA
  • Gastric cancer cells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • History and Philosophy of Science

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