ROS-mediated JNK/p38-MAPK activation regulates Bax translocation in Sorafenib-induced apoptosis of EBV-transformed B cells

Int J Oncol. 2014 Mar;44(3):977-85. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2252. Epub 2014 Jan 9.

Abstract

Sorafenib (SRF) is a multi-kinase inhibitor that has been shown to have antitumor activity against several types of cancers, but the effect of SRF on EBV-transformed B cells is unknown. We report that SRF can induce the apoptosis of EBV-transformed B cells through JNK/p38-MAPK activation. SRF triggered the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), translocation of Bax into the mitochondria, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, activation of caspase-9, caspase-3 and PARP, and subsequent apoptosis. Moreover, we found that SRF exposure activated the phosphorylation of JNK and p38-MAPK and suppressed the phosphorylation of PI3K-p85 and Akt. N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) inhibited the activation of JNK and p38-MAPK. SP600125 and SB203580 blocked apoptosis and mitochondrial membrane disruption but did not affect ROS production after SRF treatment. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms driving SRF-mediated cell death and suggest that SRF could be a potential therapeutic drug for the treatment of EBV-related malignant diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • B-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Herpesvirus 4, Human / genetics
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / genetics
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Niacinamide / administration & dosage
  • Niacinamide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Phenylurea Compounds / administration & dosage*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / genetics
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sorafenib
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / genetics
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Niacinamide
  • Sorafenib
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases
  • p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases