MSX2 overexpression inhibits gemcitabine-induced caspase-3 activity in pancreatic cancer cells

Figure 3 A: Western blotting analysis for caspase-3 activation. Cells were harvested 24 h after gemcitabine (1 g/mL) or vehicle administration. In P-3EV cells, active caspase-3 (cleaved form) was detected after gemcitabine treatment (arrow), whereas in Px14 cells, cleaved form of caspase-3 was undetectable with or without gemcitabine; B: direct caspase-3 activity measurements by APOCYTO Caspase-3 Colorimetric Assay Kit. Gemcitabine (1 μg/mL) treatment significantly enhanced caspase-3 specific activity in P-3EV cells, but not in Px14 cells. No significant differences in caspase-3 activities were detected between vehicle-treated P-3EV cells and Px14 cells, even after gemcitabine treatment (one-way ANOVA, n = 3, ^aP<0.05 vs others).