Triptolide induces cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma cells in vitro via altering expression of histone demethylase LSD1 and JMJD2B

Aim:

To elucidate the relationship between triptolide-induced changes in histone methylation and its antitumor effect on human multiple myeloma (MM) cells in vitro.

Methods:

Human multiple myeloma cell line RPMI8226 was used. Apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin-V-FITC/PI-labeled flow cytometry, Hoechst 33258 staining, and transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry was used to detect the cell cycle distribution of the apoptotic cells. The presence of the LSD1, JMJD2B, H3K4me2, H3K9me2, and H3K36me2 proteins was verified by Western blot analysis. Semi-quantitative real-time PCR was performed to examine the expression of LSD1 and JMJD2B.

Results:

Triptolide (10–160 nmol/L) suppressed the proliferation of MM cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner with an IC₅₀ value of 99.2±9.0 nmol/L at 24 h. Triptolide (50 nmol/L) induced G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest in MM cells. The agent (50–150 nmol/L) induced apoptosis of MM cells in a dose-dependent manner. The same concentrations of triptolide suppressed the expression of dimethylated H3K4, dimethylated H3K9 and dimethylated H3K36 by altering the expression of histone demethylase LSD1 and JMJD2B without affecting the expression of histone demethylase LSD1.

Conclusion:

Triptolide potently inhibits the growth of MM cells via regulating the expression of histone demethylase LSD1 and JMJD2B, which lead to abnormal histone methylation.     

Epigenetic modification of H3K4 and oxidative stress are involved in MC‐LR‐induced apoptosis in testicular cells of SD rats

Microcystin‐leucine arginine (MC‐LR) is a cyclic heptapeptide, produced by aquatic cyanobacteria such as microcystis, with strong reproductive toxicity which poses greater threat to the reproductive abilities of humans and animals. By exploring the role of trimethylation of histone H3 at lysine 4 (H3K4me3) and the role of oxidative stress in MC‐LR‐induced apoptosis in testicular Sertoli cells in Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats, this study indicated that MC‐LR increased the expression levels of apoptosis‐related genes by raising the levels of H3K4me3. 5′‐Deoxy‐5′‐methylthioadenosine (MTA), the inhibitor of H3K4me3, reduced apoptosis, indicating for the first time that epigenetic modification is closely related to the testicular reproductive toxicity induced by MC‐LR. MC‐LR also induced oxidative stress by stimulating the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and subsequently triggering mitochondria‐mediated apoptotic pathway by decreasing mitochondrial membrane potential and increasing the levels of Bax, Bcl‐2, Caspase‐3, and so on. MC‐LR‐induced apoptosis of testicular cells could be decreased after pretreatment with oxidative stress inhibitor N‐acetyl‐cysteine (NAC). Furthermore, the pathological damage to mitochondria and testes were observed in SD rats. These results show that MC‐LR can induce apoptosis by raising the levels of H3K4me3, and pretreatment with MTA can ameliorate the MC‐LR‐induced apoptosis of cocultured cells by lowering the levels of H3K4me3. Furthermore, NAC has a protective effect on MC‐LR‐induced apoptosis of testicular cells in SD rats by inhibiting the oxidative stress.     

Epigenetic regulation of developmental expression of Cyp2d genes in mouse liver

CYP2D6 expression in liver is age-dependent. Because epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, modulate age-related gene expression during development, and are highly conserved among species, the current study examined the epigenetic regulation of age-related expression of the Cyp2d genes in mouse liver. DNA methylation (DNAme), histone 3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2), and histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) was established by ChIP-on-chip tiling microarrays from mouse livers at prenatal, neonatal, and adult stages. Levels of DNAme, H3K4me2, and H3K27me3 were analyzed in a genomic region containing the Cyp2d clustering genes and their surrounding genes. Gradually increased expression levels of the Cyp2d9, Cyp2d10, Cyp2d22, and Cyp2d26 genes from prenatal, through neonatal, to adult are associated with gradually increased levels of H3K4me2 in the nucleosomes associated with these genes. Gene expression patterns during liver development in several Cyp2d surrounding genes, such as Srebf2, Sept3, Ndufa6, Tcf2, Nfam1, and Cyb5r3, could be also explained by changes of DNA methylation, H3K4me2, or H3K27me3 in those genes. In conclusion, the current study demonstrates that the changes of DNA methylation and histone modifications are associated with age-related expression patterns of the Cyp2d genes and their surrounding genes in liver cells during development.     

Epiproteome profiling of cadmium‐transformed human bronchial epithelial cells by quantitative histone post‐translational modification–enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay

Cadmium (Cd), a carcinogenic toxic metal, is pervasively distributed in the soil, water and air. Chronic exposure to Cd has been correlated to lung disease development including cancers. Although many studies have been conducted to investigate the proteome response of cells challenged with Cd, the epiproteomic responses (i.e., global histone post‐translational modifications [PTMs]), particularly in human lung cells, are largely unexplored. Here, we provide an epiproteome profiling of human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B) chronically treated with cadmium chloride (CdCl₂), with the aim of identifying global epiproteomic signatures in response to Cd epigenotoxicity. Total histone proteins from Cd‐treated and untreated BEAS‐2B cells were isolated and subject to quantitative histone PTM–enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay using 18 histone PTM antibodies. Our results unveiled that chronic Cd treatment led to the marked downregulation of H3K4me2 and H3K36me3 and upregulation of H3K9acS10ph, H4K5ac, H4K8ac and H4K12ac PTM marks. Cd‐treated cells exhibit transformed cell properties as evidenced by enhanced cell migration and the ability of anchorage‐independent growth on soft agar. Notably, treatment of Cd‐transformed cells with C646, a potent histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, suppressed the expression of mesenchymal marker genes and cell migration ability of these cells. Taken together, our studies provide for the first time the global epiproteomic interrogation of chronic Cd‐exposed human lung cells. The identified aberrant histone PTM alterations associated with Cd‐induced epigenotoxicity likely account for the epithelial?mesenchymal transition and neoplastic survival of these cells.     

LncRNA PVT1 epigenetically silences miR-195 and modulates EMT and chemoresistance in cervical cancer cells

The plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 gene (PVT1) is an oncogenic lncRNA with regulative effect on chemosensitivity in cervical cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms were not fully understood. In this study, HPV16 positive CaSki and SiHa cells were used as in vitro cell model. Knockdown of HPV16 E7 significantly inhibited PVT1 and restored miR-195 expression. PVT1 directly interacts with EZH2 and the complex anchors in the promoter region of miR-195. PVT1 overexpression resulted in increased H3K27me3 levels in the miR-195 promoter region, while PVT1 knockdown decreased H3K27me3 levels in the promoter region. In addition, PVT1 could competitively bind with miR-195. MiR-195 overexpression suppressed PVT1 expression in the cancer cells. Both PVT1 and miR-195 could inhibit paclitaxel (PTX) induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and also sensitize CaSki cells to PTX. Based on these findings, we infer that PVT1 could decrease miR-195 expression via enhancing histone H3K27me3 in the miR-195 promoter region and also via direct sponging of miR-195. In addition, the PVT1/miR-195 axis can modulate responses of the cancer cells to PTX via regulating EMT.     

Oxidative stress-induced aberrant G9a activation disturbs RE-1-containing neuron-specific genes expression,leading to degeneration in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration is one of several etiologies underlying neurodegenerative disease. In the present study, we investigated the functional role of histone methyltransferase G9a in oxidative stress-induced degeneration in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Cell viability significantly decreased on H₂O₂ treatment; however, treatment with the G9a inhibitor BIX01294 partially attenuated this effect. The expression of neuron-specific genes also decreased in H₂O₂-treated cells; however, it recovered on G9a inhibition. H₂O₂-treated cells showed high levels of H3K9me2 (histone H3 demethylated at the lysine 9 residue), which is produced by G9a activation; BIX01294 treatment reduced aberrant activation of G9a. H3K9me2 occupancy of the RE-1 site in neuron-specific genes was significantly increased in H₂O₂-treated cells, whereas it was decreased in BIX01294-treated cells. The differentiation of H₂O₂-treated cells also recovered on G9a inhibition by BIX01294. Consistent results were observed when used another G9a inhibitor UCN0321. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress induces aberrant activation of G9a, which disturbs the expression of neuron-specific genes and progressively mediates neuronal cell death. Moreover, a G9a inhibitor can lessen aberrant G9a activity and prevent neuronal damage. G9a inhibition may therefore contribute to the prevention of oxidative stress-induced neurodegeneration.     

Latent role of in vitro Pb exposure in blocking Aβ clearance and triggering epigenetic modifications

Both β-amyloid (Aβ) catabolism and epigenetic regulation play critical roles in the onset of neurodegeneration. The latter also contribute to Pb neurotoxicity. The present study explored the role of epigenetic modifiers and Aβ degradation enzymes in Pb-induced latent effects on Aβ overproduction in vitro. Our results indicated that in SH-SY5Y cells exposed to Pb, the expression of NEP and IDE remained declined during the recovery period, accompanied with abnormal increase of Aβ_1-42 and amyloid oligomer. A disruption of selective global post-translational histone modifiers including the decrease of H3K9ac and H4K12ac and the induction of H3K9me2 and H3K27me2 dose dependently was also showed in recovery cells. Moreover, histone deacetylase inhibitor VPA could attenuate latent Aβ accumulation and HDAC activity induced by Pb, which might be by regulating the expression of NEP and IDE epigenetically. Overall, our results suggest sustained reduction of NEP and IDE expression in response to Pb sensitizes recovery SH-SY5Y cells to Aβ accumulation; however, administration of VPA is demonstrated to be beneficial in modulating Aβ clearance.     

Histone demethylase JHDM2A regulates H3K9 dimethylation in response to arsenic-induced DNA damage and repair in normal human liver cells

Long-term arsenic exposure is a worldwide public health problem that causes serious harm to human health. The liver is the main target organ of arsenic toxicity; arsenic induces disruption of the DNA damage repair pathway, but its mechanisms remain unclear. In recent years, studies have found that epigenetic mechanisms play an important role in arsenic-induced lesions. In this study, we conducted experiments in vitro using normal human liver cells (L-02) to explore the mechanism by which the histone demethylase JHDM2A regulates H3K9 dimethylation (me2) in response to arsenic-induced DNA damage. Our results indicated that arsenic exposure upregulated the expression of JHDM2A, downregulated global H3K9me2 modification levels, increased the H3K9me2 levels at the promoters of base excision repair (BER) genes (N-methylpurine-DNA glycosylase [MPG], XRCC1 and poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase 1) and inhibited their expression levels, causing DNA damage in cells. In addition, we studied the effects of overexpression and inhibition of JHDM2A and found that JHDM2A can participate in the molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced DNA damage via the BER pathway, which may not be involved in the BER process because H3K9me2 levels at the promoter region of the BER genes were unchanged following JHDM2A interference. These results suggest a potential mechanism by which JHDM2A can regulate the MPG and XRCC1 genes in the process of responding to DNA damage induced by arsenic exposure and can participate in the process of DNA damage repair, which provides a scientific basis for understanding the epigenetic mechanisms and treatments for endemic arsenic poisoning.     

Ranunculus ternatus Thunb extract attenuates renal fibrosis of diabetic nephropathy via inhibiting SMYD2

ContextRanunculus ternatus Thunb (Ranunculaceae), (RTT) is used clinically for the treatment of tuberculosis or as tumour adjuvant therapy, but its potential effect on diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not been studied.ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of RTT extract in renal fibrosis of DN.Materials and methodsC57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12). Diabetes mellitus (DM) mice were induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg/day) for five consecutive days and treated by RTT extract (2 g/kg). Afterward, blood glucose, HE and Masson staining were assayed. The expression levels of Vimentin, ɑ-SMA, TNF-ɑ, NF-κB p-p65, NF-κB p65, SMYD2, H3K36me3, H3K4me3 were determined by western blots. Firbronectin was respectively assayed by western blot and immunofluorescent staining.ResultsRTT extract significantly ameliorated renal injury and renal fibrosis in the renal tissue of STZ-induced diabetic mice as demonstrated by the decreased expression level of Fibronectin (65%), Vimentin and α-SMA (75% & 53%). In addition, the levels of TNF-α (57%), NF-κB p-p65 and NF-κB p65 (35% & 25%) were elevated in the DN mice. Importantly, these were alleviated after RTT extract treatment. Moreover, we observed that the protein levels of SMYD2 (30%), H3K36me3 and H3K4me3 (53% & 75%) were reduced in DN mice after treatment with RTT extract.Discussion and conclusionsRTT extract mediates antifibrotic effects and anti-inflammatory responses in STZ-induced DN mainly through suppressing SMYD2 activation and H3K36me3 and H3K4me3 protein expression. RTT extract might have therapeutic potential against high glucose-induced nephropathy.     

L-Carnitine protects against tacrolimus-induced renal injury by attenuating programmed cell death via PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling

Reducing immunosuppressant-related complications using conventional drugs is an efficient therapeutic strategy.L-carnitine(LC)has been shown to protect against various types of renal injury.In this study,we investigated the renoprotective effects of LC in a rat model of chronic tacrolimus(TAC)nephropathy.SD rats were injected with TAC(1.5 mg·kg^?1·d^?1,sc)for 4 weeks.Renoprotective effects of LC were assessed in terms of renal function,histopathology,oxidative stress,expression of inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines,programmed cell death(pyroptosis,apoptosis,and autophagy),mitochondrial function,and PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling.Chronic TAC nephropathy was characterized by severe renal dysfunction and typical histological features of chronic nephropathy.At a molecular level,TAC markedly increased the expression of inflammatory and fibrotic cytokines in the kidney,induced oxidative stress,and led to mitochondrial dysfunction and programmed cell death through activation of PI3K/AKT and inhibition of PTEN.Coadministration of LC(200 mg·kg^?1·d^?1,ip)caused a prominent improvement in renal function and ameliorated histological changes of kidneys in TAC-treated rats.Furthermore,LC exerted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects,prevented mitochondrial dysfunction,and modulated the expression of a series of apoptosis-and autophagy-controlling genes to promote cell survival.Human kidney proximal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2 cells)were treated with TAC(50μg/mL)in vitro,which induced production of intracellular reactive oxygen species and expression of an array of genes controlling programmed cell death(pyroptosis,apoptosis,and autophagy)through interfering with PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling.The harmful responses of HK-2 cells to TAC were significantly attenuated by cotreatment with LC and the PI3K inhibitor LY294002(25μM).In conclusion,LC treatment protects against chronic TAC nephropathy through interfering the PI3K/AKT/PTEN signaling.     

Radiation-induced H3K9 methylation on E-cadherin promoter mediated by ROS/Snail axis : Role of G9a signaling during lung epithelial-mesenchymal transition

Lung cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy developed severe complications such as pneumonitis and fibrosis. Upon irradiation, epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal phenotype via a process called epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which plays a vital role in organ fibrosis. Several mechanisms have been studied on EMT, however, the correlation between radiation-induced EMT and epigenetic changes are not well known. In the present study, we investigated the role of histone methyltransferase G9a on radiation-induced EMT signaling. There was an increase in total global histone methylation level in irradiated epithelial cells. Western blot analysis on irradiated cells showed an increased expression of H3K9me2/3. The pre-treatment of G9a inhibitor enhanced E-cadherin expression and decreased the mesenchymal markers like N-cadherin, vimentin in the radiated group. Surprisingly, radiation-induced ROS generation and pERK1/2 levels were also inhibited by G9a inhibitor BIX01294, which is showing its antioxidant potential. The ChIP-qPCR analysis on the E-cadherin promoter suggested that G9a and Snail might have formed complex to enrich suppressive marker H3K9me2/3. On the whole, our present study suggested that 1] ROS could modify H3K9 methylation via G9a and promote radiation-induced lung EMT in Beas2B and A549 cells 2] E-cadherin promoter enrichment with heterochromatin mark H3K9me2 expression upon irradiation could be modified by regulating G9a methyltransferase.     

Berberine acts as a putative epigenetic modulator by affecting the histone code

Berberine, an isoquinoline plant alkaloid, exhibits a wide range of biochemical and pharmacological effects. However, the precise mechanism of these bioactivities remains poorly understood. In this study, we found significant similarity between berberine and two epigenetic modulators (CG-1521 and TSA). Reverse-docking using berberine as a ligand identified lysine-N-methyltransferase as a putative target of berberine. These findings suggested the potential role of berberine in epigenetic modulation. The results of PCR array analysis of epigenetic chromatin modification enzymes supported our hypothesis. Furthermore, the analysis showed that enzymes involved in histone acetylation and methylation were predominantly affected by treatment with berberine. Up-regulation of histone acetyltransferase CREBBP and EP300, histone deacetylase SIRT3, histone demethylase KDM6A as well as histone methyltransferase SETD7, and down-regulation of histone acetyltransferase HDAC8, histone methyltransferase WHSC1I, WHSC1II and SMYD3, in addition to 38 genes from histone clusters 1–3 were observed in berberine-treated cells using real-time PCR. In parallel, western blotting analyses revealed that the expression of H3K4me3, H3K27me3 and H3K36me3 proteins decreased with berberine treatment. These results were further confirmed in acute myelocytic leukemia (AML) cell lines HL-60/ADR and KG1-α. Taken together, this study suggests that berberine might modulate the expression of epigenetic regulators important for many downstream pathways, resulting in the variation of its bioactivities.     

Acetylated H4K16 by MYST1 protects UROtsa cells from arsenic toxicity and is decreased following chronic arsenic exposure

Arsenic, a human carcinogen that is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, is commonly found in drinking water. An important mechanism by which arsenic is thought to be carcinogenic is through the induction of epigenetic changes that lead to aberrant gene expression. Previously, we reported that the SAS2 gene is required for optimal growth of yeast in the presence of arsenite (As^III). Yeast Sas2p is orthologous to human MYST1, a histone 4 lysine 16 (H4K16) acetyltransferase. Here, we show that H4K16 acetylation is necessary for the resistance of yeast to As^III through the modulation of chromatin state. We further explored the role of MYST1 and H4K16 acetylation in arsenic toxicity and carcinogenesis in human bladder epithelial cells. The expression of MYST1 was knocked down in UROtsa cells, a model of bladder epithelium that has been used to study arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. Silencing of MYST1 reduced acetylation of H4K16 and induced sensitivity to As^III and to its more toxic metabolite monomethylarsonous acid (MMA^III) at doses relevant to high environmental human exposures. In addition, both As^III and MMA^III treatments decreased global H4K16 acetylation levels in a dose- and time-dependent manner. This indicates that acetylated H4K16 is required for resistance to arsenic and that a reduction in its levels as a consequence of arsenic exposure may contribute to toxicity in UROtsa cells. Based on these findings, we propose a novel role for the MYST1 gene in human sensitivity to arsenic.     

Effects of triptolide on RIZ1 expression, proliferation, and apoptosis in multiple myeloma U266 cells

Aim:

To investigate the effects of triptolide on proliferation and apoptosis as well as on the expression of RIZ1 in the human multiple myeloma cell line U266 in vitro.

Methods:

The effect of triptolide on the growth of U266 cells was studied by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V/PI double-labeled flow cytometry, and caspase-3 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR. Western blotting, flow cytometry and RT-PCR were used to assess the expression of RIZ1, and the location and expression of H3K9me1 were detected by confocal microscopy and Western blotting.

Results:

Triptolide significantly inhibited the proliferation of U266 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner (the IC₅₀ value for a 24-h exposure was 157.19±0.38 nmol/L). Triptolide induced typical apoptotic morphological changes. Triptolide 40, 80, and 160 nmol/L treatment induced significant caspase-3-dependent apoptosis compared with control group (10.5%±1.23%, 37.9%±2.45%, and 40.5%±2.30% vs 3.8%±1.98%, P<0.05). Compared with peripheral blood monocular cells (PBMC) from healthy donors, the protein expression of RIZ1 in U266 cells was relatively low, but the mRNA and protein expression of RIZ1 were strikingly increased by triptolide in a concentration-dependent manner. Triptolide increased the protein expression of RIZ1 and RIZ1 methylates histone H3 lysine 9 in U266 cells.

Conclusion:

Triptolide increased the protein expression of RIZ1, inhibited the proliferation, and induced caspase-dependent apoptosis in U266 cells.     

组蛋白修饰变化参与曲古抑菌素A缓解的烟草烟雾暴露所致小鼠子宫损伤过程

目的研究组蛋白修饰变化在曲古抑菌素A(trichostatin A,TSA)缓解烟草烟雾(cigarette smoke,CS)暴露所致的雌性小鼠子宫损伤过程中的作用。方法通过CS暴露30 d方法制备CS暴露小鼠子宫损伤模型,CS暴露的同时给予TSA进行治疗;HE染色观察各组小鼠子宫组织形态学变化;Western blot技术检测各组小鼠子宫组织H3K4me1、H3K4me2、H3K4me3、H3K9me1、H3K9me2、H3K9me3和H3K27me3总的修饰水平变化以及GLP(euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 1,H3K9甲基转移酶),G9ɑ(euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2,H3K9甲基转移酶),EZH2(enhancer of zeste homolog 2,H3K27me3甲基转移酶)的表达水平。结果TSA缓解CS暴露所致的雌性小鼠子宫间质细胞和腺体数量减少等结构改变。TSA有效抑制了CS暴露激活的小鼠子宫组织H3K9me1的表达,但却进一步激活CS暴露诱导的总H3K27me3修饰水平。TSA可以抑制CS暴露激活的小鼠子宫组织GLP和G9ɑ的表达,进一步激活CS暴露诱导的EZH2表达水平。结论组蛋白修饰变化参与CS暴露所致的小鼠子宫损伤以及TSA的缓解损伤过程。     

Nuclear TIGAR mediates an epigenetic and metabolic autoregulatory loop via NRF2 in cancer therapeutic resistance

Metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming play important roles in cancer therapeutic resistance. However, their interplays are poorly understood. We report here that elevated TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator), an antioxidant and glucose metabolic regulator and a target of oncogenic histone methyltransferase NSD2 (nuclear receptor binding SET domain protein 2), is mainly localized in the nucleus of therapeutic resistant tumor cells where it stimulates NSD2 expression and elevates global H3K36me2 mark. Mechanistically, TIGAR directly interacts with the antioxidant master regulator NRF2 and facilitates chromatin recruitment of NRF2, H3K4me3 methylase MLL1 and elongating Pol-II to stimulate the expression of both new (NSD2) and established (NQO1/2, PRDX1 and GSTM4) targets of NRF2, independent of its enzymatic activity. Nuclear TIGAR confers cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy and hormonal therapy in vitro and in tumors through effective maintenance of redox homeostasis. In addition, nuclear accumulation of TIGAR is positively associated with NSD2 expression in clinical tumors and strongly correlated with poor survival. These findings define a nuclear TIGAR-mediated epigenetic autoregulatory loop in redox rebalance for tumor therapeutic resistance.     

Herbacetin induces apoptosis in HepG2 cells: Involvements of ROS and PI3K/Akt pathway

Herbacetin (HER) is a natural flavonoid compound that can be extracted from Ramose Scouring Rush Herb, and its biological and pharmacological activities lack of corresponding attention. In this study, the apoptotic effect of HER against the human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) was investigated. The results showed that HepG2 cells apoptosis occurred in a dose-dependent manner within 48 h incubated with HER, which was confirmed by DNA fragmentation, nuclear shrinkage, and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. HER at 25–100 μM induced a mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway associated with Bcl-2/Bax ratio decrease, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) collapse, cytochrome c release, and caspase-3 activation. Increasing expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) was also observed in HER-treated cells. Furthermore, the addition of a ROS inhibitor (N-Acetyl-l-cysteine, NAC) significantly attenuated the apoptosis induced by HER and also blocked the expression of PGC-1α protein. Additionally, HER effectively inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt and the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 increased the inhibition effect of HER on Akt phosphorylation. These findings provide evidences that HER induces HepG2 apoptosis in a ROS-mediated mitochondria-dependent manner that correlate with the inactivation of the PI3K/Akt pathway.