CASP9 and melanoma: Moreover, we also observed that 3-MA markedly abrogated the induction of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax, Cleaved caspase 9, and Cleaved PARP, as well as the suppression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression compared with the DIOS group (p < 0.05) (Figs. 4C-F), indicating 3-MA pretreatment could reverse DIOS-induced autophagy and apoptosis in melanoma cells.