Abrus precatorius agglutinin-derived peptides induce ROS-dependent mitochondrial apoptosis through JNK and Akt/P38/P53 pathways in HeLa cells.

10kDAGP, a tryptic digest of Abrus precatorius lectin 'Agglutinin' is known to induce apoptosis by mitochondria-dependent pathways in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. The present study was focused on deciphering the detailed molecular mechanism of apoptosis induction in vitro by 10kDAGP and also its in vivo therapeutic efficacy. For in vivo model, HeLa cell encapsulated hollow fiber was implanted in Swiss Albino mice and treated with 10kDAGP. Our results showed that 10kDAGP was able to enter the cell within a span of 20min and co-localized with mitochondria after 90min. of incubation. A drastic loss of mitochondrial membrane potential was noted within 6h of 10kDAGP administration along with an increase in ROS generation. ROS further led to symptoms of early apoptosis by deregulating Akt (Protein Kinase B) and activating c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK), p38 Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK), p53, and autophagy starting from ∼8h of incubation. Besides in vitro conditions, 10kDAGP activated JNK to mediate cancer cell killing in vivo. Therefore, 10kDAGP can be an excellent therapeutic agent as it can act through different ways in the cellular system. Future studies are directed to screen out active peptides from the pool of peptides and to study whether the mode of action is in synergistic way or in individual forms.