Compound-7 induced apoptosis is dependent on caspase 9 activation and cytochrome c release. A) qRT-PCR analysis of caspase 4, 8 and 9 mRNA in compound 7-treated cells (GI50) as compared to vehicle-treated control cells [set as 1 arbitrary unit (a.u.)]. Values were normalized to β-actin. Bars = mean ± SEM. of three independent experiments performed in triplicates. * P < 0.05 compared to vehicle-treated control cells, B) Representative Western blots showing cleavage “activation” of procaspase 9 to the active forms p35/p37, C) Representative Western blot showing the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria (M) into the cytosol (C) of treated MCF-7 breast cancer cells (GI50). Equal protein loading was controlled by staining membranes with Ponceau S (a representative section of the stained membrane is shown). The experiment was repeated three times.