Curcumin inhibits protein phosphatases 2A and 5, leading to activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and death in tumor cells.

ABSTRACT: Curcumin can induce p53-independent apoptosis. However, the underlying mechanism remains to be defined. Here, we show that curcumin-induced apoptosis in a panel of tumor cells with mutant p53. Curcumin rapidly induced activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Inhibition of JNK (with SP600125) or Erk1/2 (with U0126) partially prevented curcumin-induced cell death in the cells. Similarly, expression of dominant negative c-Jun or downregulation of Erk1/2 in part attenuated curcumin-induced cell death. It appears that curcumin-induced activation of MAPKs and apoptosis was due to induction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as pretreatment with N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS scavenger, b

SUBMITTER: Han X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3324444 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature