Figure 2

Cotreatment of MCF7 with Isc Qu and Dox activates intrinsic cell death pathway. (A) Proportion of early apoptotic and late apoptotic/necrotic cells was measured by the bivariate Annexin V/7AAD flow cytometry after 72 h treatment of MCF7 cells with Isc Qu (85 µg/mL), Dox (50 nM) or combination Isc Qu (85 µg/mL) + Dox (50 nM) (top). Bar graph showing results presented as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments (bottom). (B) Dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed by flow cytometry using rhodamine 123 staining (top). Bar graph showing results presented as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments (bottom). (C) Bax/Bcl-2 ratio levels. Analysis of Bcl-2 and Bax protein(left) and mRNA expression (right). Detected mRNA levels were normalized to GAPDH. Results are presented as the mean ± SEM of three independent experiments. Asterisks denote statistical significance compared to control cells (*p < 0.05; **p < 0.01; ***p < 0.001). Representative dot plots from three independent experiments performed in triplicate are shown.