Pham, Chau Ha Lee, Joo-Eun Yu, Jinha Lee, Sung Hoon Yu, Kyung-Rok Hong, Jaewoo Cho, Namki Kim, Seil Kang, Dukjin Lee, Soojin Yoo, Hee Min 2024-01-19T14:02:53Z 2024-01-19T14:02:53Z 2022-01-10 2021-08 1420-3049 https://pubs.kist.re.kr/handle/201004/116625 Recent studies found that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are produced through bacterial fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, have oncoprotective effects against cervical cancer. The most common SCFAs that are well known include acetic acid, butyric acid, and propionic acid, among which propionic acid (PA) has been reported to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells. However, the mechanism in which SCFAs suppress HeLa cell viability remain poorly understood. Our study aims to provide a more detailed look into the mechanism of PA in HeLa cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that PA induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to the dysfunction of the mitochondrial membrane. Moreover, PA inhibits NF-kappa B and AKT/mTOR signaling pathways and induces LC3B protein levels, resulting in autophagy. PA also increased the sub-G1 cell population that is characteristic of cell death. Therefore, the results of this study propose that PA inhibits HeLa cell viability through a mechanism mediated by the induction of autophagy. The study also suggests a new approach for cervical cancer therapeutics. English MDPI Anticancer Effects of Propionic Acid Inducing Cell Death in Cervical Cancer Cells Article 10.3390/molecules26164951 1 MOLECULES, v.26, no.16 MOLECULES 26 16 N scie scopus 000689751100001 2-s2.0-85113317348 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chemistry, Multidisciplinary Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Chemistry Article NF-KAPPA-B SIGNALING PATHWAYS CROSS-TALK AUTOPHAGY APOPTOSIS MITOCHONDRIA ACTIVATION MICROBIOTA HELA cervical cancer short-chain fatty acids propionic acid reactive oxygen species HeLa