title: Beta-catenin mediates the apoptosis induction effect of celastrol in HT29 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the apoptosis induction effects of celastrol in human colorectal cancer cell line HT29 in WNT/beta-catenin pathway.
  
  
  METHODS
  HT29 cells were treated with various concentrations (10-100μM) for 24h, MTT assay was performed to examine the effect of celastrol on growth inhibition of HT29 cells. Beta-catenin siRNA was used for transfection of cells. Cell apoptosis was detected through both DNA laddering analysis and Tdt-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Western blot analysis and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technologies were applied to assess the expression level of c-Myc, Bax, and Bcl-2 in HT29 cells.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of HT29 cells with celastrol resulted in a growth inhibition effect, and the IC(50) value was 56μM. Celastrol induced HT29 cells apoptosis, and increased the nuclear translocation of beta-catenin. Apoptosis induction effects of celastrol were significantly attenuated by beta-catenin siRNA transfection. Beta-catenin siRNA markedly increased mRNA and protein levels of c-Myc compared with control siRNA. Beta-catenin siRNA significantly inhibited the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in celastrol-treated HT29 cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Beta-catenin mediates the apoptosis induction effects of celastrol in HT29 cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Xi'an Technological University, Xi'an Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China. wenzonglu@126.com
authors.forename: Wenzong
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Guangfeng
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Xiangyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yumiao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ren
authors.forename: Haixian
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ni
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D014315:Triterpenes; D051176:beta Catenin; C050414:celastrol