Melanoma differentiation associated gene-7, mda-7/interleukin-24, induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and inducing reactive oxygen species.

Mda-7/IL-24 (Ad.mda-7) is a novel cytokine gene belonging to the interleukin (IL) 10 gene superfamily. Adenoviral-mediated delivery of mda-7/IL-24 causes growth suppression and apoptosis in a wide spectrum of cancer cells, including prostate, without harming normal cells. We now demonstrate that Ad.mda-7 selectively induces apoptosis in prostate cancer cells by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Antioxidants (N-acetyl-L-cysteine and Tiron) and inhibitors of mitochondrial permeability transition (cyclosporine A and bongkrekic acid) inhibit Ad.mda-7-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Conversely, agents augmenting ROS production (arsenic trioxide, NSC656240, and PK11195) facilitate Ad.mda-7-induced apoptosis. Ectopic expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x(L) inhibits mitochondrial changes, ROS production, and apoptosis providing additional support for an association between mitochondrial dysfunction and Ad.mda-7 action. These studies present definitive evidence that changes in mitochondrial function and ROS production are key components associated with selective killing of prostate cancer cells by mda-7/IL-24.