Mechanism of 13-methyltetradecanoic acid in inducing bladder cancer T24 cell apoptosis in vitro

AIM: To study the effect of 13-methyltetradecanoic acid (13-MTD) on bladder cancer T24 cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: T24 cells were treated with 13-MTD at different concentrations. MTT cell proliferation assay was used to observe the inhibitory effect. The cell cycle and cell apoptosis were displayed by FCM. Apoptosis index was investigated by TUNEL assay. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of apoptosis related proteins. RESULTS: p38 and JNK phosphorylation were presented 2 h after stimulated by 13-MTD, but AKT phosphorylation were inhibited. Cytochrome C was released from the intermembrane space of mitochondria 8 h later. No change of FADD and p-FADD was observed. Several downstream caspase substrates (PARP, lamin B, RB) were cleaved in 12 h. CONCLUSION: In the course of T24 cell apoptosis induced by 13-MTD, JNK/SAPK and p38MAPK signaling pathway are activated and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway is inhibited. The substrates of caspase: PARP, Rb, lamin B are cleavaged by activated caspase enzymes to promote T24 cell apoptosis.