title: 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.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China. liubo2400@163.com
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ming-wei
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Jin-Ku
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Bao
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002241:Carbohydrates / Q000737:chemistry; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003208:Concanavalin A / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D008934:Mitogens / Q000494:pharmacology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D002241:Carbohydrates; D008934:Mitogens; D003208:Concanavalin A; D045304:Cytochromes c; D020169:Caspases