Bak instead of Bax plays a key role in metformin-induced apoptosis s in HCT116 cells.

ABSTRACT: Metformin (Met) exhibits anticancer ability in various cancer cell lines. This report aims to explore the exact molecular mechanism of Met-induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells, a human colorectal cancer cell line. Met-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) increase and ROS-dependent cell death accompanied by plasma membrane blistering, mitochondrial swelling, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome c. Western blotting analysis showed that Met upregulated Bak expression but downregulated Bax expression. Most importantly, silencing Bak instead of Bax inhibited Met-induced loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, indicating the key role of Bak in Met-induced apoptosis. Live-cell fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) analysis showed that Met unlocked the bindin

SUBMITTER: Chen H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8608863 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature