title: Role of Smac in apoptosis of lung cancer cells A549 induced by Taxol.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A series of structurally unique second mitochondria-derived activators of caspase (Smac) that act as antagonists of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) directly have been discovered and have been shown to promote chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. In this study, we investigate the role of Smac in Taxol-induced apoptosis of lung cancer cell in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  PcDNA3.1/Smac recombinants were transfected into the non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549. Smac expression was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. The invasive ability of cells was examined. Flow cytometry was used to analyze apoptosis of cells induced by Taxol with Annexin V/PI double staining technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Smac expression was significantly higher in the PcDNA3.1/Smac recombinant group than in the untransfected group at mRNA and protein level (p < 0.05) and lower invasion through a basal membrane was apparent after transfection (p < 0.05). A small number of cells were promoted to apoptosis in the PcDNA3.1/Smac group. There were significant differences compared to the empty vector group and control group. The apoptosis rate was significantly higher in PcDNA3.1/Smac + Taxol group than in other groups (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transfected Smac can enhance the chemosensitivity of the non-small cell lung cancer cell line A549 to Taxol.
authors: Ying
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Yingtao
authors: Y
authors: Hao
authors: Qifeng
authors: Q
authors: Sun
authors: Chuanliang
authors: C
authors: Peng
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; C412403:DIABLO protein, human; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D024101:Mitochondrial Proteins; D017239:Paclitaxel