Figure 5.

Apoptosis signals after E gene expression in SW480 cells. (A) SW480/12/E cells before and after Dox induction at times indicated were analyzed by FACScan to determine apoptotic cell death. The apoptosis was assessed after propidium iodine staining by calculating the percentage of cells in the sub-G1 fraction. SW480/12/E cells treated with zVAD-fmk were also analyzed at 72 hours. SW480 parental cells were used as the control. Data shown are representative results from four independent experiments. (B) Activated (cleaved) caspase-3, caspase-9, and pro-caspase-8 were detected by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies at the indicated time points after Dox treatment. zVAD-fmk was applied to determine whether caspases were involved in the apoptotic process in SW480/12/E cells induced with Dox (72 hours). The filter was probed with a β-actin antibody to determine whether the amounts of protein in each lane were comparable. Immunoblots were visualized using an enhanced chemiluminescence detection system.

Abbreviation: Dox, doxorubicin.