Induction of apoptosis by the ginsenoside Rh2 by internalization of lipid rafts and caveolae and inactivation of Akt.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Lipid rafts and caveolae are membrane microdomains with important roles in cell survival signalling involving the Akt pathway. Cholesterol is important for the structure and function of these microdomains. The ginsenoside Rh2 exhibits anti-tumour activity. Because Rh2 is structurally similar to cholesterol, we investigated the possibility that Rh2 exerted its anti-tumour effect by modulating rafts and caveolae.

Experimental approach

A431 cells (human epidermoid carcinoma cell line) were treated with Rh2 and the effects on cell apoptosis, raft localization and Akt activation measured. We also examined the effects of over-expression of Akt and active-Akt on Rh2-induced cell death.

Key results

Rh2 induced apoptosis concentration- and time-dependent

SUBMITTER: Park EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2936029 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature