Rapamycin Induces Cell Death of Hepatoma Cells via Upregulation of Beclin 1

ObjectiveTo investigate the rapamycin-induced cell death and the time and dose-effect relationship. MethodsCell death ratio was analyzed by using trypan blue exclusion assay. The rapamycin-induced cell death fashion was detected by TEM in SMMC7721. Furthermore,Beclin 1 was detected by using Western blot. ResultsRapamycin significantly induces liver cell death,and has significant time and dose-effect dependence. Rapamycin can induce both apoptosis and autophagy in SMMC7721. Beclin 1 was upregulated by rapamycin. ConclusionRapamycin can induce apoptosis and autophagic cell death in hepatoma cells,Beclin 1 upregulation may be the direct cause for rapamycin -induced cell death in HCC cells.