title: Induction of Bex genes by curcumin is associated with apoptosis and activation of p53 in N2a neuroblastoma cells.
abstract: Brain expressed X-linked (Bex) genes are newer group of pro-apoptotic genes. Role of any Bex gene in neuroblastoma and Bex4 and Bex6 in any cancer is completely unknown. Re-expression of all endogenous Bex genes by any nutraceutical is also unknown. Therefore, we investigated the induction of all endogenous Bex genes and associated mechanisms by curcumin using N2a, an aggressive neuroblastoma cell line. Curcumin induced all endogenous Bex genes prior to apoptosis in N2a cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Wortmannin (PI-3Kinases inhibitor), SP600125 (JNK inhibitor) and pifithrin-α (p53 inhibitor) abrogated curcumin-mediated induction of Bex genes. Inhibition of curcumin-mediated induction of Bex genes by pifithrin-α also inhibited N2a cells apoptosis suggesting, a direct role of Bex genes in N2a cells apoptosis and involvement of p53 in Bex genes induction. Curcumin treatment activated p53 through hyperphosphorylation at serine 15 before Bex genes induction indicating Bex genes are novel downstream targets of p53. Collectively, curcumin, a safe nutraceutical has the potential to induce all endogenous Bex genes to harness their anti-cancer properties in neuroblastoma cells. Re-expression of Bex genes by curcumin acts as tumor suppressors and may provide alternate strategy to treat neuroblastomas and other cancers with silenced Bex genes.
authors.affiliation: National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana 122051, India.
authors.forename: Himakshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sidhar
authors.affiliation: National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana 122051, India.
authors.forename: Ranjit K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Giri
mesh_terms: D000730:Androstadienes / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000873:Anthracenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D052160:Benzothiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013997:Time Factors; D014050:Toluene / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D000077191:Wortmannin
chemical_list: D000730:Androstadienes; D000873:Anthracenes; D052160:Benzothiazoles; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C432165:pyrazolanthrone; D014050:Toluene; C121565:pifithrin; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D003474:Curcumin; D000077191:Wortmannin