Synergism of Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease and IFN-γ triggers distinct death machineries in different human cancer cells

Chih Hang Anthony Tang, Chih Chi Andrew Hu, Chyou Wei Wei, Jaang Jiun Wang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease (RC-RNase) possesses tumor-specific cytotoxicity, which can be synergized by IFN-γ. However, it is unclear how RC-RNase and RC-RNase/IFN-γ induce cell death. In this study, we use substrate cleavage assays to systematically investigate RC-RNase- and RC-RNase/IFN-γ-induced caspase activation in HL-60, MCF-7, and SK-Hep-1 cells. We find that RC-RNase and RC-RNase/IFN-γ induce mitochondria-mediated caspase activation in HL-60 and MCF-7 cells but not in SK-Hep-1 cells, although death of SK-Hep-1 cells is closely related to mitochondrial disruptions. Our findings provide evidence that RC-RNase and RC-RNase/IFN-γ can kill different cancer cells by distinct mechanisms. Compared with onconase, RC-RNase seems to harbor a more specific anti-cancer activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)265-270
Number of pages6
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume579
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 3 2005

Keywords

  • Anti-tumor ribonuclease
  • Caspase
  • Onconase
  • Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biophysics
  • Structural Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Synergism of Rana catesbeiana ribonuclease and IFN-γ triggers distinct death machineries in different human cancer cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this