Khz-cp (crude polysaccharide extract obtained from the fusion of Ganoderma lucidum and Polyporus umbellatus mycelia) induces apoptosis by increasing intracellular calcium levels and activating P38 and NADPH oxidase-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species in SNU-1 cells

Abstract

BackgroundKhz-cp is a crude polysaccharide extract that is obtained after nuclear fusion in Ganoderma lucidum and Polyporus umbellatus mycelia (Khz). It inhibits the growth of cancer cells.MethodsKhz-cp was extracted by solvent extraction. The anti-proliferative activity of Khz-cp was confirmed by using Annexin-V/PI-flow cytometry analysis. Intracellular calcium increase and measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were performed by using flow cytometry and inverted microscope. SNU-1 cells were treated with p38, Bcl-2 and Nox family siRNA. siRNA transfected cells was employed to investigate the expression of apoptotic, growth and survival genes in SNU-1 cells. Western blot analysis was performed to confirm the expression of the genes.ResultsIn the present study, Khz-cp induced apoptosis preferentially in transformed cells and had only minimal effects on non-transformed cells. Furthermore, Khz-cp was found to induce apoptosis by increasing the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and activating P38 to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) via NADPH oxidase and the mitochondria. Khz-cp-induced apoptosis was caspase dependent and occurred via a mitochondrial pathway. ROS generation by NADPH oxidase was critical for Khz-cp-induced apoptosis, and although mitochondrial ROS production was also required, it appeared to occur secondary to ROS generation by NADPH oxidase. Activation of NADPH oxidase was shown by the translocation of the regulatory subunits p47phox and p67phox to the cell membrane and was necessary for ROS generation by Khz-cp. Khz-cp triggered a rapid and sustained increase in [Ca2+]i that activated P38. P38 was considered to play a key role in the activation of NADPH oxidase because inhibition of its expression or activity abrogated membrane translocation of the p47phox and p67phox subunits and ROS generation.ConclusionsIn summary, these data indicate that Khz-cp preferentially induces apoptosis in cancer cells and that the signaling mechanisms involve an increase in [Ca2+]i, P38 activation, and ROS generation via NADPH oxidase and mitochondria.

Non-thermal Plasma-activated Medium Induces Apoptosis of Aspc1 Cells Through the ROS-dependent Autophagy Pathway

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Induction of apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by Khz (fusion of Ganoderma lucidum and Polyporus umbellatus mycelium)

“…In addition, it has been suggested that Khz induces apoptosis in human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells, accompanied by an increase in ROS, the activation of caspase 3 and increased intracellular Ca 2+ (24). In addition, our previous study demonstrated that crude polysaccharide extract obtained from the fusion of G. lucidum and P. umbellatus mycelia induces apoptosis by increasing intracellular Ca 2+ levels and activating the P38 and NADPH oxidase-dependent generation of reactive oxygen species in SNU-1 cells (25). In the present study, fusion of G. lucidum and P. umbellatus mycelium was perofmeed and used to treat MCF-7 cells.…”

Ganoderma spp.: A Promising Adjuvant Treatment for Breast Cancer

“…Khz is a crude polysaccharide isolated from the fusion of G. lucidum and Polyporus umbellatus mycelia. This protein selectively induced apoptosis in cancer cells by increasing intracellular [Ca +2 ] to generate ROS [ 52 ]. Recently, the same group of investigators showed that Khz decreased proliferation and induced apoptosis on MCF-7 cells following similar mechanisms evidenced before.…”