Autophagy and apoptosis induction by sesamin in MOLT‑4 and NB4 leukemia cells

Deesrisak,Kamolchanok; Chatupheeraphat,Chawalit; Roytrakul,Sittiruk; Anurathapan,Usanarat; Tanyong,Dalina

doi:10.3892/ol.2020.12293

Autophagy and apoptosis induction by sesamin in MOLT‑4 and NB4 leukemia cells

Authors:
- Kamolchanok Deesrisak
- Chawalit Chatupheeraphat
- Sittiruk Roytrakul
- Usanarat Anurathapan
- Dalina Tanyong
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Affiliations: Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand, Proteomics Research Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Thailand Science Park, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Published online on: November 12, 2020 https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2020.12293
Article Number: 32
Copyright: © Deesrisak et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Sesamin, the major furofuran lignan found in the seeds of Sesamum indicum L., has been investigated for its various medicinal properties. In the present study, the anti‑leukemic effects of sesamin and its underlying mechanisms were investigated in MOLT‑4 and NB4 acute leukemic cells. Leukemic cells were treated with various concentrations of sesamin. Cell viability was determined using an MTT assay. Flow cytometry using Annexin V‑FITC/PI staining and anti‑LC3/FITC antibodies was applied to detect the level of apoptosis and autophagy, respectively. Reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR was performed to examine the alterations in the mRNA expression of apoptotic and autophagic genes. In addition, bioinformatics tools were used to predict the possible interactions between sesamin and its targets. The results revealed that sesamin inhibited MOLT‑4 and NB4 cell proliferation in a dose‑dependent manner. In addition, sesamin induced both apoptosis and autophagy. In sesamin‑treated cells, the gene expression levels of caspase 3 and unc‑51 like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1) were upregulated, while those of mTOR were downregulated compared with in the control. Notably, the protein‑chemical interaction network indicated that caspase 3, mTOR and ULK1 were the essential factors involved in the effects of sesamin treatment, as with anticancer agents, such as rapamycin, AZD8055, Torin1 and 2. Overall, the findings of the present study suggested that sesamin inhibited MOLT‑4 and NB4 cell proliferation, and induced apoptosis and autophagy through the regulation of caspase 3 and mTOR/ULK1 signaling, respectively.

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