Dihydroartemisinin triggers c‑Myc proteolysis and inhibits protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β pathway in T‑cell lymphoma cells

Wei,Wenwen; Zhao,Xindong; Wu,Shaoling; Zhao,Chunting; Zhao,Hongguo; Sun,Lingjie; Cui,Yujiao

doi:10.3892/ol.2018.9450

Dihydroartemisinin triggers c‑Myc proteolysis and inhibits protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β pathway in T‑cell lymphoma cells

Authors:
- Wenwen Wei
- Xindong Zhao
- Shaoling Wu
- Chunting Zhao
- Hongguo Zhao
- Lingjie Sun
- Yujiao Cui
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Affiliations: Department of Hematology, Affiliated Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266003, P.R. China, Department of Hematology, School of Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong 266021, P.R. China
Published online on: September 18, 2018 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2018.9450
Pages: 6838-6846

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Abstract

Recent studies have revealed a positive therapeutic effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on tumor cells. However, the underlying mechanism of this has not yet been elucidated. The present study examined the potential therapeutic role and mechanism of DHA in T‑cell lymphoma cells. It was revealed that DHA inhibited the proliferation of Jurkat and HuT‑78 T‑cell lymphoma cells in a concentration‑ and time‑dependent manner. Furthermore, DHA reduced c‑Myc protein expression at the transcriptional level, and induced the phosphorylation of c‑Myc and the degradation of c‑Myc oncoprotein levels. DHA treatment resulted in decreased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and glycogen synthase 3β (GSK3β) in T‑cell lymphoma cells. In addition, DHA treatment induced cell apoptosis, which was accompanied by an increased ratio of Bax/Bcl‑2. Taken together, the results of the present study suggested that DHA may exert its antitumor role by accelerating c‑Myc proteolysis and inhibiting the Akt/GSK3β pathway in T‑cell lymphoma cells.

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