Human biliverdin reductase regulates the molecular mechanism underlying cancer development.

Human biliverdin reductase (hBVR), is an enzyme, that converts biliverdin to bilirubin, and has been implicated in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer. However, few studies have investigated the role of hBVR in cell apoptosis in other cancers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hBVR in several lines of cancer cells. The results of this study showed that hBVR expression was up-regulated in breast, lung, and liver cancers, but not ovarian cancer. Moreover, hBVR inhibition by small interfering RNA (si-hBVR) attenuated cell survival and increased caspase-3 protein expression, which was mediated by the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in relative cancer cells. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane proteins Bcl-2 and BAX were found to be necessary for activation of the mitochondria dependent apoptosis pathway. Collectively, these findings indicated, for the first time, that the anti-apoptotic effect of hBVR in cancers which portend new strategies for developing novel biomarkers and effective treatment ways for cancer patients.