DHA induces apoptosis by altering the expression and cellular location of GRP78 in colon cancer cell lines

► Colon cancer cell ability to undergo apoptosis is related to basal GRP78 expression. ► DHA is able to induce apoptosis in colon cancer cells by inhibiting GRP78 total and surface expression. ► Downstream of GRP78, DHA increases ERdj5 expression and inhibits PERK phosphorylation. ► DHA-induced apoptosis in colon cancer cells is accompanied by caspase-4 activation.