(A) A2780s and SKOV3 cells were infected with PUMA adenovirus for 48 h in the presence or absence of 1 μM NAC. Then MTT was done to analyze the viability of the cells. PUMA significantly reduced the viability of A2780s and SKOV3 cells, compared with the control group (*P < 0.05). The percentage of survival was calculated. Results are shown as means ± S.D. of three wells and triplicate experiments. In each experiment, the medium-only treatment (untreated) indicates 100% cell viability. (B) A2780s and SKOV3 cells were treated as described in A. Then colony formation assays were used to evaluate the cell viability. Representative pictures of A2780s cell colony formation were shown (top panel). Abrogation of ROS by NAC partially abolished the inhibition of PUMA on the proliferation of A2780s and SKOV3 cells (bottom panel). Bars, mean; error bars, S.D. (n = 3, **p < 0.01; ##p < 0.01). (C) A2780s and SKOV3 cells were treated as described in A. The treated cells were then used to measure the membrane potential by JC-1 dye retention using flow cytometry. (D) A2780s cells were treated as described in A. The treated cells were then lysed and caspase 3 activity was measured using an assay kit. Bars, mean; error bars, S.D. (n = 3, *p < 0.05). (E) SKOV3 cells were treated as described in A. The treated cells were then lysed and caspase 3 activity was measured using an assay kit. Bars, mean; error bars, S.D. (n = 3, *p < 0.05).