Thymoquinone Triggers Inactivation of the Stress Response Pathway Sensor <i>CHEK1</i> and Contributes to Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer Cells

Abstract excerpt

There are few reports describing the role of p53-dependent gene repression in apoptotic cell death. To identify such apoptosis-associated p53 target genes, we used the pro-oxidant plant-derived drug thymoquinone and compared p53+/+ and p53-/- colon cancer cells HCT116. The p53 wild-type (wt) status correlated with more pronounced DNA damage and higher apoptosis after thymoquinone treatment. A significant...