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. 1999 Sep;81(2):294–299. doi: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6690690

Aspirin induces cell death and caspase-dependent phosphatidylserine externalization in HT-29 human colon adenocarcinoma cells

E Castaño 1, M Dalmau 1, M Barragán 1, G Pueyo 2, R Bartrons 1, J Gil 1
PMCID: PMC2362852  PMID: 10496355

Abstract

The induction of cell death by aspirin was analysed in HT-29 colon carcinoma cells. Aspirin induced two hallmarks of apoptosis: nuclear chromatin condensation and increase in phosphatidylserine externalization. However, aspirin did not induce either oligonucleosomal fragmentation of DNA, decrease in DNA content or nuclear fragmentation. The effect of aspirin on Annexin V binding was inhibited by the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD.fmk, indicating the involvement of caspases in the apoptotic action of aspirin. However, aspirin did not induce proteolysis of PARP, suggesting that aspirin does not increase nuclear caspase 3-like activity in HT-29 cells. This finding may be related with the ‘atypical’ features of aspirin-induced apoptosis in HT-29 cells. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Keywords: aspirin, apoptosis, caspases, colon cancer, HT-29

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Selected References

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