Induction of Apoptosis by Sphingosine-1-Phosphate in Human Hepatoma Cells Is Associated with Enhanced Expression of bax Gene Product

Authors: Hung W.C.¹; Chuang L.Y.²

Source: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Volume 229, Number 1, December 1996 , pp. 11-15(5)

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Abstract:

Sphingolipid metabolites are important regulators of cell growth and differentiation. Recent studies have suggested that sphingosine-1-phosphate, a biologically active sphingolipid metabolite, acts as a crucial messenger in apoptosis. In the present work, we examined the expression levels of the members of the bcl-2-related gene family to determine their roles in sphingosine-1-phosphate-induced apoptosis in human hepatoma cells. Our results indicate that sphinogosine-1-phosphate-induced apoptosis is associated with enhanced expression of Bax protein. Moreover, the regulation of bax gene expression by sphingosine-1-phosphate is independent of the p53 tumor suppressor.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: School of Technology for Medical Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical College, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, Republic of China 2: Department of Biochemistry, Kaohsiung Medical College, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan, Republic of China

Publication date: 1996-12-01