Bim plays a crucial role in synergistic induction of apoptosis by the histone deacetylase inhibitor SBHA and TRAIL in melanoma cells

Apoptosis. 2006 Dec;11(12):2251-65. doi: 10.1007/s10495-006-0283-6.

Abstract

The wide variation in sensitivity of cancer cells to TRAIL- or histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor - induced apoptosis precludes successful treatment of cancer with these agents. We report here that TRAIL and SBHA synergistically induce apoptosis of melanoma cells as revealed by quantitative analysis using the normalized isobologram method. This is supported by enhanced activation of caspase-3 and cleavage of its substrates, PARP and ICAD. Co-treatment with SBHA and TRAIL did not enhance formation of the death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) and processing of caspase-8 and Bid, but potentiated activation of Bax and release of Cytochrome C and Smac/DIABLO from mitochondria into the cytosol. SBHA down-regulated Bcl-X(L), Mcl-1 and XIAP, but up-regulated Bax, Bak, and the BH3-only protein Bim(EL). Up-regulation of the latter by SBHA was attenuated by the presence of TRAIL, which was inhibitable by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Inhibition of Bim by siRNA attenuated conformational changes of Bax, mitochondrial apoptotic events, and activation of caspase-3, leading to marked inhibition of the synergy between SBHA and TRAIL. Thus, Bim plays an essential role in synergistic induction of apoptosis by SBHA and TRAIL in melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / metabolism*
  • BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein / metabolism
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Caspase 8 / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors*
  • Histone Deacetylases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand / pharmacology*
  • Up-Regulation
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein / metabolism
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / metabolism
  • bcl-X Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins
  • BCL2L11 protein, human
  • BH3 Interacting Domain Death Agonist Protein
  • Bcl-2-Like Protein 11
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Myeloid Cell Leukemia Sequence 1 Protein
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TNF-Related Apoptosis-Inducing Ligand
  • X-Linked Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein
  • bcl-2 Homologous Antagonist-Killer Protein
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • bcl-X Protein
  • suberic bishydroxamate
  • Caspase 8
  • Histone Deacetylases