Role of p53 and NF-kappaB in epigallocatechin-3-gallate-induced apoptosis of LNCaP cells

Oncogene. 2003 Jul 31;22(31):4851-9. doi: 10.1038/sj.onc.1206708.

Abstract

We have recently shown that oral consumption of green tea polyphenols inhibits prostate carcinogenesis in transgenic mouse model of prostate cancer and suggested that induction of apoptosis in prostate cancer cells is responsible for these effects. Much of the chemopreventive effects of green tea are attributed to its major polyphenolic constituent (-) epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). In the present study, we report that EGCG-induced apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells is mediated via modulation of two related pathways: (a) stabilization of p53 by phosphorylation on critical serine residues and p14ARF-mediated downregulation of murine double minute 2(MDM2) protein, and (b) negative regulation of NF-kappaB activity, thereby decreasing the expression of the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2. EGCG-induced stabilization of p53 caused an upregulation in its transcriptional activity, thereby resulting in activation of its downstream targets p21/WAF1 and Bax. Thus, EGCG had a concurrent effect on two important transcription factors p53 and NF-kappaB, causing a change in the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in a manner that favors apoptosis. This altered expression of Bcl-2 family members triggered the activation of initiator capsases 9 and 8 followed by activation of effector caspase 3. Activation of the caspases was followed by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and induction of apoptosis. Taken together, the data indicate that EGCG induces apoptosis in human prostate carcinoma cells by shifting the balance between pro- and antiapoptotic proteins in favor of apoptosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology*
  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases / metabolism
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives*
  • Catechin / pharmacology*
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins / biosynthesis
  • Cyclins / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / genetics
  • DNA, Neoplasm / metabolism
  • Enzyme Activation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Genes, bcl-2
  • Humans
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / physiology*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / physiology*
  • Nuclear Proteins*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / biosynthesis
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Transcription, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / metabolism
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / pathology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF / physiology
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / physiology*
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • BAX protein, human
  • CDKN1A protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
  • Cyclins
  • DNA, Neoplasm
  • NF-kappa B
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p14ARF
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate
  • MDM2 protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2
  • Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases
  • CASP3 protein, human
  • CASP8 protein, human
  • CASP9 protein, human
  • Casp3 protein, mouse
  • Casp8 protein, mouse
  • Casp9 protein, mouse
  • Caspase 3
  • Caspase 8
  • Caspase 9
  • Caspases