title: ZBP-89 enhances Bak expression and causes apoptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.
abstract: ZBP-89 can enhance tumor cells to death stimuli. However, the molecular mechanism leading to the inhibitory effect of ZBP-89 is unknown. In this study, 4 liver cell lines were used to screen for the target of ZBP-89 on cell death pathway. The identified Bak was further analyzed for its role in ZBP-89-mediated apoptosis. The result showed that ZBP-89 significantly and time-dependently induced apoptosis. It significantly upregulated the level of pro-apoptotic Bak. ZBP-89 targeted a region between -457 and -407 of human Bak promoter to stimulate Bak expression based on the findings of Bak promoter luciferase report gene assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. ZBP-89-induced Bak increase and ZBP-89-mediated apoptosis were markedly suppressed by Bak siRNA, confirming that Bak was specifically targeted by ZBP-89 to facilitate apoptosis. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that ZBP-89 significantly induced apoptosis of HCC cells via promoting Bak level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ann K Y
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: To
authors.forename: George G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ursula P F
authors.initials: UP
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Caiguo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Jing P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Rocky L K
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Art
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tessier
authors.forename: Juanita L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Merchant
authors.forename: Paul B S
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Lai
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D015153:Blotting, Western; D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D024202:Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C494772:BAK1 protein, human; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014157:Transcription Factors; C110951:ZNF148 protein, human; D050998:bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein; D008156:Luciferases