P53 regulated PPD-induced Puma expression and contributed to PPD-induced cell death in HCT116 cells. (a) HCT116 cells were transfected with P53 reporter gene for 24 h and then treated with PPD for 24h, and then the luciferase activity was measured. (b) HCT116 (P53+/+) and HCT116 (P53−/−) cells were treated with PPD (30μM) for 48 h, and then the cell death was determined. (c and d) HCT116 (P53+/+) and HCT116 (P53−/−) cells were treated with PPD (30 μM) for 24 h, and then the Puma mRNA (c) and protein level (d) were determined by RT-PCR and western blots, respectively. (e) HCT116 (P53+/+) and HCT116 (P53−/−) cells were treated with PPD (30 μM) for 24 h, and then Noxa expression level were determined by RT-PCR.