A class of benzenoid chemicals suppresses apoptosis in C. elegans

作者：Kokel David; Xue Ding^*

来源：ChemBioChem, 2006, 7(12): 2010-2015.

DOI：10.1002/cbic.200600262

• apoptosis
• benzenoid chemicals
• C. elegans
• carcinogens
• caspases
• DNA damage

Benzene is a human carcinogen that might act through both genotoxic and nongenotoxic mechanisms to promote tumorigenesis. The genotoxic effects of benzene are well established however its potential nongenotoxic roles in carcinogenesis are poorly understood. We find that benzene suppresses somatic apoptosis in C. elegans, this suggest a potential nongenotoxic mechanism by which this chemical might promote tumorigenesis. We find that two other benzenoid chemicals, biphenyl and toluene, also inhibit apoptosis in C. elegans. Notably, these chemicals are suspected carcinogens in mammals, this suggests that a subclass of benzenoid chemicals might promote tumorigenesis by suppressing apoptosis. A benzene metabolite, 1,4-benzoquinone, can directly inhibit the activity of caspase-3, this suggests a general molecular mechanism by which benzenoid chemicals might suppress apoptosis. These findings suggest that C. elegans is an excellent alternative animal model for studying the antiapoptoic activity of tumor-promoting chemicals and for identifying in vivo targets of these chemicals.

• 出版日期2006-12