Juglanthraquinone C Induces Intracellular ROS Increase and Apoptosis by Activating the Akt/Foxo Signal Pathway in HCC Cells

Figure 4

Akt activation promotes HepG2 cell apoptosis induced by JC. (a) Effects of wild-type and mutant Akt on JC-induced apoptosis were determined by Western blot analysis. HepG2 cells were transiently transfected with pcDNA3 vector control or pcDNA3-Akt. Twelve hours after transfection, the cells were treated with either DMSO or 8 μg/mL of JC for 36 hours. In the Akt-WT group, the p-Akt (S473) blot is for both endogenous and exogenous Akt. In the other groups (PC, S473A, and S473D), the p-Akt (S473) blot is for the endogenous Akt. GAPDH was used as a loading control. (b) Effects of wild-type and mutant Akt on JC-induced apoptosis were determined by DAPI staining. Twelve hours after transfection, the cells were treated with either DMSO or 8 μg/mL of JC for 36 hours. The cells were fixed and stained with DAPI. Arrows are used to indicate apoptotic bodies in apoptotic HepG2 cells.

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