C-6 Ceramide Induces p53 Dependent Apoptosis in Human Astrocytoma Grade4 (Glioblastoma Multiforme) Cells.

Ceramide is composed of sphingosine and a fatty acid found in large concentration within the cell membrane and often acts as a signaling molecule for various functions including programmed cell death. In the present investigation, we observed that C6-ceramide induces p53-dependent apoptosis and effectively killed the Astrocytoma grade4 (Glioblastoma Multiforme) HTB12 cell lines. Ceramide-induced cell death was confirmed by Trypan blue assay which showed about 65% cells dying from ceramide treatment. Apoptosis was confirmed by Caspase3 ELISA assay and DNA fragmentation assay. The p53 induction was confirmed by immunoblot studies. Since C6 Ceramide induces apoptosis in Glioblastoma cells, it may be employed in chemotherapeutic strategy to treat this highly malignant brain cancer.