Β‐Carotene Induces Apoptosis in Human Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines via the Cav‐1/AKT/NF‐κB Signaling Pathway. Issue 3 (6th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhu, Xiangzhan; Zhang, Yanting; Li, Qinghua; Yang, Lu; Zhang, Nannan; Ma, Shanshan; Zhang, Kun; Song, Jishi; Guan, Fangxia
• Is Part Of: Journal of biochemical and molecular toxicology. Volume 30:Issue 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 148
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2016-01-06
• Subjects: β‐Carotene -- Caveolin‐1 -- Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma -- Proliferation -- Apoptosis -- AKT/NF‐κB; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Toxicology -- Periodicals; 574
• DOI: 10.1002/jbt.21773
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1095-6670

Abstract

ABSTRACT: β‐carotene, a type of terpenoid, has many metabolic and physiological functions. In particular, β‐carotene has an antitumor effect. However, the efficacy of β‐carotene against esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains unclear. In our study, β‐carotene inhibited the growth of ESCC cells and downregulated expression of the Caveolin‐1 (Cav‐1) protein. Cav‐1 protein was expressed only in ESCC cells, not in Het‐1A cells. Moreover, β‐carotene triggered apoptosis, induced cell cycle G0⁄G1 phase arrest, and inhibited cell migration. To explore the mechanism involved in these processes, we further examined the effect of β‐carotene on the Cav‐1‐mediated AKT/NF‐κB pathway. The results showed that the level of AKT and NF‐κB phosphorylation was dramatically inhibited, which led to an increase in the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio. Correspondingly, the activity of Caspase‐3 was also enhanced. These data suggest that β‐carotene has an antiproliferative role in ESCC cells and may be a promising chemotherapeutic agent for use against ESCC cells.