Induction of Apoptosis in Human Leukemic Cell Lines by Diallyl Disulfide via Modulation of EGFR/ERK/PKM2 Signaling Pathways

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Diallyl disulfide (DADS) may exert potent anticancer action both in vitro and in vivo. Althoughits effects on cancer are significant, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. In this study, we sought toelucidate possible links between DADS and pyruvate kinase (PKM2). Materials and <br/><b>Methods</b>: KG1α, a leukemiacell line highly expressing PKM2 was used with a cell counting kit (CCK)-8 and flow cytometry (FCM) toinvestigate the effects of DADS. Relationships between PKM2 and DADS associated with phosphorylation ofEGFR, ERK1/2 and MEK, were assessed by western blot analysis. <br/><b>Results</b>: In KG1α cells highly expressingPKM2, we found that DADS could affect proliferation, apoptosis and EGFR/ERK/PKM2 signaling pathways,abrogating EGF-induced nuclear accumulation of PKM2. <br/><b>Conclusions</b>: These results suggested that DADSsuppressed the proliferation of KG1α cells, providing evidence that its proapoptotic effects are mediated throughthe inhibition of EGFR/ERK/PKM2 signaling pathways.