Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common malignancy of the kidney. Unfortunately, RCCs are highly refractory to conventional chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and even immunotherapy. Thus, novel therapeutic targets need to be sought for the successful treatment of RCCs. We now report that 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinequinone (LY83583), an inhibitor of cyclic GMP production, induced growth arrest and apoptosis of the RCC cell line 786-0. It did not prove deleterious to normal renal epithelial cells, an important aspect of chemotherapy. To address the cellular mechanism(s), we used both genetic and pharmacological approaches. LY83583 induced a time-and dose-dependent increase in RCC apoptosis through dephosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 and its downstream extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1 and -2. In addition, we observed a decrease in Elk-1 phosphorylation and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) down-regulation. We were surprised that we failed to observe an increase in either c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase or p38␣ and - mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. In contradiction, reintroduction of p38␦ by stable transfection or overexpression of p38␥ dominant negative abrogated the apoptotic effect. Cell death was associated with a decrease and increase in Bcl-x L and Bax expression, respectively, as well as release of cytochrome c and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor. These events were associated with an increase in reactive oxygen species formation. The antioxidant N-acetyl L-cysteine, however, opposed LY83583-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, ERK1/2 inactivation, COX-2 down-regulation, and apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that LY83583 may represent a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of RCC, which remains highly refractory to antineoplastic agents. Our data provide a molecular basis for the anticancer activity of LY83583.Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the sixth leading cause of cancer death; the worldwide incidence is increasing at an annual rate of 2% (Boring et al., 1994). By the time metastatic disease is diagnosed, it is present in approximately 30% of patients, and an additional 30 to 40% develop metastases within a period of months or years after nephrectomy (Tourani et al., 2003). RCC has a poor prognosis owing to its late presentation and resistance to hormonal therapy (Motzer and Russo, 2000), chemotherapy (Amato, 2000), and radiotherapy (Bukowski, 1997). Cytokine treatments of patients with RCC have produced insufficient response rates, Article, publication date, and citation information can be found at http://molpharm.aspetjournals.org. doi:10.1124/mol.105.020875.ABBREVIATIONS: RCC, renal cell carcinoma; LY83583 , 6-anilino-5,8-quinolinequinone; GC, guanylate cyclase; ROS, reactive oxygen species; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase; ERK, extracellular signal-regulated kinase; JNK, c-Jun NH 2 -terminal kinase; FCS, fetal calf serum; MAb, monoclonal antibody; MKK, mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase; MEK, mitogen-activa...