NVP-BKM120 treatment induces apoptosis in glioma cells containing mutant p53. A, glioma cell lines were treated with 1 and 2 μmol/L NVP-BKM120 for 72 hours before they were harvested for Annexin V staining as an indication of apoptosis. The population of cells positive for Annexin V staining was compiled as shown. U251, LN18, and LN229 cell lines had minimum apoptosis, whereas U87, D54, and U343 cell lines produced maximum Annexin V-positive staining. B, glioma cells were treated with 2 μmol/L NVP-BKM120 for various time intervals, as indicated. Total protein was extracted and subjected for the detection of PARP cleavage and cleaved caspase-3 in a Western blot analysis using an anti-PARP and anti-caspase-3 antibody. Results showed that PARP and caspase-3 were cleaved after NVP-BKM120 treatment in U87 but not in U251 cells.