Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Deregulation of the AKT signaling pathway has been found in HCC. However, the effect of AKT activation on the proliferation and apoptosis in HCC is not clear. Herein, expression of phosphorylated form of AKT (Ser 473) was investigated in HCC tumor (n=73), cirrhosis (n=17), normal liver (n=22) samples and in HCC cell lines (n=8). The results showed that expression of p-AKT was higher in tumor (53%) than in cirrhotic tissues (12%) while it was absent in normal liver (p<0.0001). p-AKT expression was also associated with number of tumor nodules and differentiation status (p<0.05). LY294002 induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 in SNU-449 and Mahlavu cells by decreasing expression of CDK2, CDK4, CycD1, CycD3, CycE, CycA and increasing expression of p21 and p27 as well; it also caused a decrease in the E2F1 transcriptional activity through declining phosphorylated Rb. LY294002 did not affect the basal level of apoptosis; however, it amplified cisplatin-induced apoptosis in SNU-449 cells. When the p-AKT level was decreased specifically after transfection with the DN-AKT plasmid, SNU-449 cells became more sensitive to cisplatin-induced apoptosis. HuH-7 cells with no basal p-AKT, were markedly affected by the treatment of doxorubicin. Thus, Akt signaling controls growth and chemical-induced apoptosis in HCC and p-AKT may be a potential target for therapeutic interventions in HCC patients.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains as one of the most common lethal diseases in the world and therefore it is necessary to understand its effect on molecular basis. Genome-wide microarray analysis provides us to predict potential biomarkers and signaling pathways for this purpose.

The Arum L. in the Araceae family belongs to flowering plants. It is represented by 14 species and four varieties. In total, there are 18 taxa in Turkey. Arum rupicola Boiss. var. rupicola is one of taxa among them. Traditionally, boiled and dried leaves are used as food supplement in folk medicine in Turkey. In our previous study, the results showed that different extracts of tubers have varying levels of anticholinesterase activity. In this study, anti-carcinogenic activities were evaluated of the hexane, ethyl acetate, 70% methanol and distilled water extracts of A. rupicolaa var. rupicola on SK-HEP-1 adenocarcinoma cell line. MTT and wound healing assays were used to assess cytotoxicity and 2D cell motility, respectively. Results showed that distilled water extract has the maximum potency and consistent cytotoxic and anti-motility effects on SK-HEP-1 cells.