Fig. 5.

Molecular targets in apoptosis and cell cycle arrest pathways modulated by PEITC and SFN. Although both PEITC and SFN are potent inducers of apoptosis, the initial signal that triggers apoptosis has been suggested to be different. SFN increases ROS generation and disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential, which leads to cytosolic release of cytochrome c and apoptosis. On the other hand, PEITC binds to tubulin, increases the cleavage of caspases 8 and 9, and triggers apoptosis. Both PEITC and SFN activate Chk2 and inactivate Cdk1, leading to cell cycle arrest. Cyclins A, D, and E are also downregulated by PEITC