Life sciences
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Thymoquinone (TQ), the predominant bioactive constituent of black seed oil (Nigella Sativa), has been shown to possess antineoplastic activity against multifarious tumors. However, the meticulous mechanism of TQ on Akt mediated survival pathway is still unrevealed in breast cancer. Here, we investigated TQ's mechanism of action against PI3K/Akt signaling and its downstream targets by modulating proteins translational machinery, leading to apoptosis in cancer cells. ⋯ Our observations for the first time may provide a new insight for the development of novel therapies for Akt overexpressed breast cancer by TQ.
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We studied the role of serine/threonine phosphatases (PSTPs) on αIIbβ3 signaling and the potential selectivity of the level of PSTP inhibition with okadaic acid (OA) on αIIbβ3 signaling for regulation of platelet aggregation and clot retraction. ⋯ The level of inhibition of PSTPs by low or high OA concentration (33% and 73% inhibition, respectively) in intact whole cells differentially regulates platelet aggregation and integrin signaling, but have a common effect in blocking clot retraction. The latter may be associated with the presence of phosphorylated FAK in the cytoskeleton. This study reveals a novel target for anti-platelet treatment to block clot retraction without affecting the platelet hemostatic function by a partial inhibition of PSTPs.