title: [Involvement of Caspase-3 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase in MMT-induced apoptosis in PC-3M cells].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the function of Caspase-3 and p38 MAPK in MMT-induced apoptosis in PC-3M cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  After incubation of PC-3M cells with 1 mmol/L MMT, the activity of Caspase-3 was examined. The influence on cells viability of Z-DEVD-FMK, a Caspase-3-specific peptide inhibitor, was also examined. Western blot was used to examine the change of p38 MAPK. The effect on cells viability and Caspase-3 activity of SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 MAPK, were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The activity of Caspase-3 increased significantly in MMT-induced apoptosis in PC-3M cells /9P < 0.01), and Z-DEVD-FMK could protect cells from apoptosis (P < 0.01). In this course, the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK could be observed. SB203580 inhibited Caspase-3 activity (P < 0.05) and prevented PC-3M cells from MMT-induced apoptosis (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caspase-3 and p38 MAPK are involved in MMT-induced PC-3M cells apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China.
authors.forename: Li-xiang
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ji-ping
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.forename: Wei-wen
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ya-lun
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D002460:Cell Line; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D061945:Caspase Inhibitors; D007093:Imidazoles; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D011725:Pyridines; C009907:2-methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C505407:CASP3 protein, human; D053148:Caspase 3; C093642:SB 203580