FIGURE 7.

Schematic representation of MLL induced anoikis in MCF-7 cells: Upregulation of MMP-9 as a result of MLL treatment caused ECM degradation and reduced FN expression. Reduced FN level decreased its interaction with the integrin receptor and downstream signaling. In association with this, integrin –FAK interaction and phosphorylation FAK inhibited. This in turn decreased the expression of PI3K and phosphorylation of Akt. In the unphosphorylated condition Akt promote the expression of proapoptotic Bax and caspase 9 which caused programmed cell death (anoikis). Inactivation of Ras protein also inhibited the level of PI3K. Moreover, phosphorylated upregulation of P³⁸MAPK activate Bax and caspase 9 which in turn contributed to the anoikis process.