[The TNF-alpha-induced apoptosis of LA795 cells is mediated by MAP kinase kinase 6].

Objective: To study the molecular mechanism of apoptosis of lung cancer cells stimulated by tumor necrosis factor alpha for the discovery of potential methods of gene therapy of lung cancer.

Methods: The apoptosis model of LA795 adenocarcinoma cells was performed. Recombinant adenovirus of MAP kinase kinase 6, and its constitutively active form and dominant negative form were prepared in 293 package cells. Protein kinase assay was used to detect the activity of MKK6 in cells.

Results: TNF-alpha stimulation increased the activity of MKK6 in LA795 lung cancer cells. The stimulation of TNF-alpha induced apoptosis of LA795 cells significantly. The infection of recombinant virus of constitutive active form of MKK6 also induced apoptosis of LA795 cells significantly, while the infection of recombinant virus of dominant negative form of MKK6 blocked the apoptosis of LA795 cells apparently.

Conclusions: TNF-alpha induced apoptosis of LA795 cells is mediated by MKK6. It is possible to use MKK6 recombinant virus for gene therapy of lung cancer.