Resveratrol Affects Protein Kinase C Activity and Promotes Apoptosis in Human Colon Carcinoma Cells

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Resveratrol has been reported to have potential chemopreventive and apoptosis-inducing properties in a variety of tumor cell lines. <br/><b>Objective</b>: In this study, to investigate the effects of resveratrol on protein kinase C (PKC) activity and apoptosis in human colon carcinoma cells, we used HT-29 cells and examined the PKCα and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. <br/><b>Methods</b>: To test the effects of resveratrol on the growth of HT- 29 cells, the cells were exposed to varying concentrations and assessed with the the MTT cell-viability assay.Fluorescence-activated cell sorter (FACS) analysis was applieded to determine the effects of resveratrol on cell apoptosis. Western blotting was performed to determine the protein levels of PKCα and ERK1/2. In inhibition experiments, HT-29 cells were treated with Gő6976 or PD98059 for 30 min, followed by exposure to 200 μM resveratrol for 72 h. <br/><b>Results</b>: Resveratrol had a significant inhibitory effect on HT-29 cell growth. FACS revealed that resveratrol induced apoptosis. Western blotting showed that e phosphorylation of PKCα and ERK1/2 was significantly increased in response to resveratrol treatment. Pre-treatment with PKCα and ERK1/2 inhibitors (Gő6976 and PD98059) promoted apoptosis. <br/><b>Conclusion</b>: Resveratrol has significant anti-proliferative effects on the colon cancer cell line HT-29. The PKC- ERK1/2 signaling pathway can partially mediate resveratrol-induced apoptosis of HT-29 cells.