title: Delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol induces apoptosis in human prostate PC-3 cells via a receptor-independent mechanism.
abstract: The effect of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psycho-active component of marijuana, in human prostate cancer cells PC-3 was investigated. THC caused apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Morphological and biochemical changes induced by THC in prostate PC-3 cells shared the characteristics of an apoptotic phenomenon. First, loss of plasma membrane asymmetry determined by fluorescent anexin V binding. Second, presence of apoptotic bodies and nuclear fragmentation observed by DNA staining with 4',6-diamino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Third, presence of typical 'ladder-patterned' DNA fragmentation. Central cannabinoid receptor expression was observed in PC-3 cells by immunofluorescence studies. However, several results indicated that the apoptotic effect was cannabinoid receptor-independent, such as lack of an effect of the potent cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2, inability of cannabinoid antagonist AM 251 to prevent cellular death caused by THC and absence of an effect of pertussis toxin pre-treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miguel
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Díaz-Laviada
mesh_terms: D017304:Annexin A5 / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D048588:Benzoxazines; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D013759:Dronabinol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D009025:Morpholines / Q000494:pharmacology; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D010880:Piperidines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000378:metabolism; D013110:Sphingosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D013997:Time Factors; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017304:Annexin A5; D048588:Benzoxazines; D007211:Indoles; D009025:Morpholines; C064769:N-acetylsphingosine; D009281:Naphthalenes; D010880:Piperidines; D011720:Pyrazoles; D043882:Receptors, Cannabinoid; D011955:Receptors, Drug; D010566:Virulence Factors, Bordetella; C103505:AM 251; C007293:DAPI; C070417:(3R)-((2,3-dihydro-5-methyl-3-((4-morpholinyl)methyl)pyrrolo-(1,2,3-de)-1,4-benzoxazin-6-yl)(1-naphthalenyl))methanone; D013759:Dronabinol; D037342:Pertussis Toxin; D013110:Sphingosine