Induction of apoptosis by Concanavalin A and its molecular mechanisms in cancer cells.

Abstract

Concanavalin A (Con A), a mannose/glucose-binding legume lectin, can induce cancer cell death through a mitochondria-mediated autophagic pathway; however, the precise mechanisms by which it mediates cell death are still only rudimentarily understood. In the present study, Con A possesses a remarkable antiproliferative effect on human melanoma A375 cells. Also, there is a link between the antiproliferative activity of Con A and its sugar-binding activity. Subsequently, Con A can induce human melanoma A375 cell apoptosis in a caspase-dependent manner. In addition, the treatment with Con A can cause mitochondrial transmembrane potential collapse, leading to cytochrome c release and caspase-9-caspase-3 activation. In conclusion, we demonstrate that there may be a close correlation between the antiproliferative activity of Con A and its sugar-binding activity. More importantly, we report for the first time that Con A can induce human melanoma A375 cell death in a caspase-dependent manner as well as via a mitochondrial apoptotic pathway.

• Authors: Bo Liu, Ming-wei Min, Jin-Ku Bao
• Journal: Autophagy (Autophagy) Vol. 5 Issue 3 Pg. 432-3 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1554-8635 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19202354 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carbohydrates
• Mitogens
• Concanavalin A
• Cytochromes c
• Caspases

Topics

• Apoptosis
• Carbohydrates (chemistry)
• Caspases (metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation
• Concanavalin A (pharmacology)
• Cytochromes c (metabolism)
• Enzyme Activation
• Humans
• Mitochondria (metabolism)
• Mitogens (pharmacology)
• Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)