RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Up-regulation of Death Receptor 5/TRAIL-R2 Mediates Apoptosis Induced by N,Nā€™-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene] Biscinnamide in Cancer Cells JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 5035 OP 5041 DO 10.21873/anticanres.14506 VO 40 IS 9 A1 HIROMI II A1 SUSUMU NAKATA A1 JUN'ICHI UENISHI YR 2020 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/40/9/5035.abstract AB Background/Aim: Based on the cytotoxic agent (āˆ’)-zampanolide, N,Nā€™-(arylmethylene)bisamides were designed and synthesized as candidate anti-cancer agents. Among them, N,Nā€™-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)methylene]biscinnamide (DPMBC) was identified as the most potent cytotoxic analog against cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying DPMBC-induced cell death in HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia and PC-3 human prostate cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Cell growth was assessed by the WST-8 assay. Induction of apoptosis was assessed by nuclear morphology, DNA ladder formation, and flow cytometry using Annexin V staining. Activation of factors in the apoptotic signaling pathway was assessed by western blot analyses. Knockdown of death receptor 5 (DR5) was performed using siRNA. Results: DPMBC up-regulated expression levels of DR5 protein and induced apoptosis through the extrinsic apoptotic pathway mediated by DR5 and caspases. Conclusion: DPMBC is an extrinsic apoptosis inducer, which has potential as a therapeutic agent for cancer therapy.