LncRNA CRNDE promotes cell proliferation,migration and invasion of ovarian cancer via miR-423-5p/FSCN1 axis

Ovarian cancer seriously threatens the health of women. LncRNA CRNDE is known to be upregulated in ovarian cancer. However, the mechanism by which CRNDE regulates the progress of ovarian cancer is largely unknown. MTT assay was applied to measure the cell viability. Colony formation assay was used to measure the cell proliferation. Cell migration was tested by wound healing, and Transwell assay was performed to detect cell invasion. In addition, the expression of miR-423-5p, CRNDE and FSCN1 were detected by RT-qPCR and western blotting, respectively. Meanwhile, dual-luciferase reporter assay and RIP assay were performed to explore the correlation between miR-423-5p and CRNDE (or FSCN1). CRNDE and FSCN1 were upregulated in ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3, CAOV-3, IGROV1, A2780 and C13K), while miR-423-5p was downregulated. Moreover, silencing of FSCN1/CRNDE significantly decreased proliferation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells (SKOV3 and CI3K) via suppressing MMP-2 and MMP-9. In addition, CRNDE could sponge miR-423-5p, and FSCN1 was confirmed to be the direct target of miR-423-5p. Furthermore, CRNDE knockdown-induced inhibition of FSCN1 was notably reversed by miR-423-5p downregulation. Knockdown of CRNDE inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion of ovarian cancer via miR-423-5p/FSCN1 axis. Thus, CRNDE may serve a new target for ovarian cancer.

     

Mixed lineage kinase 3 is required for matrix metalloproteinase expression and invasion in ovarian cancer cells

Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) is a mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAP3K) that activates MAPK signaling pathways and regulates cellular responses such as proliferation, migration and apoptosis. Here we report high levels of total and phospho-MLK3 in ovarian cancer cell lines in comparison to immortalized nontumorigenic ovarian epithelial cell lines. Using small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing, we determined that MLK3 is required for the invasion of SKOV3 and HEY1B ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, mlk3 silencing substantially reduced matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, -2, -9 and -12 gene expression and MMP-2 and -9 activities in SKOV3 and HEY1B ovarian cancer cells. MMP-1, -2, -9 and-12 expression, and MLK3-induced activation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 requires both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activities. In addition, inhibition of activator protein-1 (AP-1) reduced MMP-1, MMP-9 and MMP-12 gene expression. Collectively, these findings establish MLK3 as an important regulator of MMP expression and invasion in ovarian cancer cells.     

AKT2 contributes to increase ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion through the AKT2-PKM2-STAT3/NF-κB axis

Multiple studies have shown that protein kinase Bβ (AKT2) is involved in the development and progression of ovarian cancer, however, its precise role remains unclear. Here we explored the underlying molecular mechanisms how AKT2 promotes ovarian cancer progression. We examined the effects of AKT2 in vitro in two ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and HEY), and in vivo by metastasis assay in nude mice. The migration and invasion ability of SKOV3 and HEY cells was determined by transwell assay. Overexpression and knockdown (with shRNA) experiments were carried out to unravel the underlying signaling mechanisms induced by AKT2. Overexpression of AKT2 led to increased expression of pyruvate kinase (PKM2) in ovarian cancer cells and in lung metastatic foci from nude mice. Elevated AKT2/PKM2 expression induced cell migration and invasion in vitro, as well as lung metastasis in vivo; silencing AKT2 blocked these effects. Meanwhile, PKM2 overexpression was unable to increase AKT2 expression. The expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT2, and PKM2 were increased when stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF); however, these expressions were blocked when inhibited the PI3K by LY294002. STAT3 expression was elevated and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation was activated both in vitro and in vivo when either AKT2 or PKM2 was overexpressed; and these effects were inhibited when silencing AKT2 expression. Taken together, AKT2 increases the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and promotes lung metastasis in nude mice in vivo through PKM2-mediated elevation of STAT3 expression and NF-κB activation. In conclusion, we highlight a novel mechanism of the AKT2-PKM2-STAT3/NF-κB axis in the regulation of ovarian cancer progression, and our work suggested that both AKT2 and PKM2 may be potential targets for the treatment of ovarian cancer.     

The novel estrogen receptor GPER regulates the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells

G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) was identified as a new member of the estrogen receptor family in recent years. It has become apparent that GPER mediates the non-genomic signaling of 17β-estradiol (E₂) in a variety of estrogen-related cancers. Our previous study has found that GPER was overexpressed in human epithelial ovarian cancer and was positively correlated with the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), which suggested GPER might promote the metastasis of ovarian cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying GPER-dependent metastasis of ovarian cancer are still not clear. In the present study, estrogen receptor α (ERα)-negative/GPER-positive OVCAR5 ovarian cancer cell line was used to investigate the role of GPER in the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer. Wound healing assay and transwell matrigel invasion assay were performed to determine the potentials of cell migration and invasion, respectively. The production and activity of MMP-9 in OVCAR5 cells were examined by Western blot and gelatin zymography analysis. The results showed that E₂ and selective GPER agonist G-1 increased cell motility and invasiveness, and upregulated the production and proteolytic activity of MMP-9 in OVCAR5 cells. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting GPER and G protein inhibitor pertussin toxin (PTX) inhibited the migration and invasion of OVCAR5 cells, and also reduced the expression and activity of MMP-9. Our data suggested that GPER promoted the migration and invasion of ovarian cancer cells by increasing the expression and activity of MMP-9. GPER might play an important role in the progression of ovarian cancer.     

Cabozantinib inhibits AXL- and MET-dependent cancer cell migration induced by growth-arrest-specific 6 and hepatocyte growth factor

Cabozantinib is known as an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases mainly targeting AXL receptor tyrosine kinase (AXL), MET proto-oncogene-encoded receptor tyrosine kinase (MET), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2. Growth arrest-specific 6 (GAS6) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the natural ligands of AXL and MET, respectively, are associated with the induction of cancer cell proliferation or metastasis. Currently, it is still unclear how cabozantinib regulates cancer cell migration and invasion by inhibiting AXL and MET. This study was conducted to investigate the mechanism underlying the anti-cancer effects of cabozantinib through regulation of AXL and MET signaling.The results of Boyden chamber assays showed that cancer cell migration was induced by GAS6 and HGF in SKOV3 cells in serum-free medium. Combinatorial treatment with GAS6 and HGF exerted an additive effect on cell migration. Furthermore, we examined the role of AXL and MET signaling in cell migration. Short interfering RNA targeting AXL and MET inhibited GAS6- and HGF-induced migration, respectively. Double knockdown of AXL and MET completely suppressed cell migration induced by combination treatment with GAS6 and HGF compared to AXL or MET inhibition alone. Finally, we investigated the effects of cabozantinib on cell migration and invasion. Cabozantinib inhibited AXL and MET phosphorylation and downregulated the downstream mediators, phosphorylated SRC in the presence of both GAS6 and HGF in SKOV3 cells. The cell migration and invasion induced by combined GAS6 and HGF treatment were suppressed by cabozantinib, but not by capmatinib, a selective MET inhibitor.Our data indicate that the GAS6-AXL and HGF-MET signal pathways markedly contribute to cancer cell migration and invasion in an independent manner, suggesting that simultaneous inhibition of these two pathways contributes to the anti-cancer effects of cabozantinib.     

Up-regulation of long intergenic noncoding RNA 01296 in ovarian cancer impacts invasion,apoptosis and cell cycle distribution via regulating EMT

BackgroundRecently, long intergenic non-coding RNA 01296 (LINC01296) has been demonstrated to regulate the initiation and progression of several cancers, but the functions of LINC01296 in ovarian cancer still remain unclear. The objective of our study was to determine the expression, biological roles, and clinical significance of LINC01296 in ovarian cancer.MethodsLINC01296 expression was measured in ovarian cancer tissues or cell lines. Next, the relationships between LINC01296 levels and the clinical factors of ovarian cancer, such as progression-free survival and overall survival were analyzed. Additionally, cell proliferation, migration and invasion capacities, apoptosis, cell cycle distribution were investigated after silencing of LINC01296. To confirm whether LINC01296 mediates EMT initiation in ovarian cancer cells, the effect of LINC01296 silence on E-cadherin, N-cadherin and vimentin was assessed in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells.ResultsWe found that LINC01296 was over-expressed in ovarian cancer tissues and cell lines, when comparing with adjacent normal tissue samples and normal cells. Higher LINC01296 expression was significantly correlated with shorter progression-free survival and overall survival. For the functional experiments, knockdown of LINC01296 suppressed cell proliferation, inhibited colony formation ability, abrogated cell migration and invasion potential, and enhanced cell apoptosis. Cell cycle analysis suggested that LINC01296 positively regulated cell cycle progression in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, western blotting analysis displayed that knockdown of LINC01296 significantly increased E-cadherin, but reduced N-cadherin and vimentin expressions in SKOV3 and OVCAR3 cells, compared with no-transfection cells.ConclusionsLINC01296 plays an important role in promoting the progression of ovarian cancer. Over-expression of LINC01296 might function as an indicator for diagnosis and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients.     

Tetramethoxychalcone,a Chalcone Derivative,Suppresses Proliferation,Blocks Cell Cycle Progression,and Induces Apoptosis of Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

In the present study, we investigated the in vitro antitumor functions of a synthetic chalcone derivative 4,3′,4′,5′- tetramethoxychalcone (TMOC) in ovarian cancer cells. We found that TMOC inhibited the proliferation and colony formation of cisplatin sensitive cell line A2780 and resistant cell line A2780/CDDP, as well as ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Treatment of A2780 cells with TMOC resulted in G₀/G₁ cell cycle arrest through the down-regulation of cyclin D1 and CDK4, and the up-regulation of p16, p21 and p27 proteins. We demonstrated that TMOC might induce cell apoptosis through suppressing Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, but enhancing the expression of Bax and the cleavage of PARP-1. Treatment of TMOC also reduced the invasion and migration of A2780 cells. Finally, we found that TMOC inhibited the constitutive activation of STAT3 signaling pathway and induced the expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN regardless of the p53 status in cell lines. These data suggest that TMOC may be developed as a potential chemotherapeutic agent to effectively treat certain cancers including ovarian cancer.     

LMTK2基因沉默抑制人上皮性卵巢癌细胞生长和转移的作用机制

摘要 目的：探讨狐猴酪氨酸激酶2（LMTK2）基因沉默对人上皮性卵巢癌(EOC)细胞生长和转移的抑制作用及其可能的机制。方法：通过RT-qPCR和Western-blot检测了人正常卵巢上皮细胞IOSE80和人上皮性卵巢癌细胞系（SKOV3、ES2、OVCAR-3和HEY）中LMTK2的表达,使用Lipofectamine 3000转染试剂将LMTK2的短发夹RNA（shRNA）、阴性对照shRNA、LMTK2过表达重组pcDNA3.1质粒或阴性对照质粒转染到SKOV3细胞中,并分为LMTK2-shRNA组、NC-shRNA组、LMTK2-pcDNA3.1组或NC-pcDNA3.1组。另外,使用PI3K/Akt抑制剂LY294002处理SKOV3细胞1 h。通过CCK-8法测定细胞增殖,Annexin V-FITC/PI染色法测定细胞凋亡,划痕实验评价细胞迁移,Transwell实验评价细胞侵袭。对BALB/c雌性裸鼠皮下注射转染NC-shRNA或LMTK2-shRNA的SKOV3细胞建立体内移植瘤模型,并记录接种28 d内的肿瘤体积。结果：与人正常卵巢上皮细胞IOSE80相比,卵巢癌细胞系（SKOV3、ES2、OVCAR-3和HEY）中LMTK2的mRNA和蛋白表达水平均显著升高,其中SKOV3的LMTK2 mRNA和蛋白表达水平最高（P<0.05）。与NC-shRNA组相比,LMTK2-shRNA组SKOV3细胞活力、相对迁移面积、侵袭细胞数均显著降低,而细胞凋亡率显著升高（P<0.05）。此外,与NC-shRNA组相比,LMTK2-shRNA组SKOV3细胞中Bax的蛋白表达水平显著升高,而Bcl-2、MMP2、MMP9、p-Akt的蛋白表达水平显著降低（P<0.05）。LY294002处理逆转了上调LMTK2对SKOV3细胞生长和转移的影响（P<0.05）。在接种第21天和28天时,与NC-shRNA组相比,LMTK2-shRNA组裸鼠的肿瘤体积显著降低（P<0.05）。结论：LMTK2基因沉默通过抑制PI3K/Akt信号通路降低了人上皮性卵巢癌细胞的生长和转移能力。     

Cancer/testis antigen LDHC promotes proliferation and metastasis by activating the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β-signaling pathway and the in lung adenocarcinoma

The cancer/testis antigen lactate dehydrogenase-C4 (LDHC) is a specific isoenzyme of the LDH family that regulates invasion and metastasis in some malignancies; however, little is known regarding its role in progression of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Thus, we investigated LDHC expression by immunohistochemistry, and analyzed its clinical significance in 88 LUAD specimens. The role and molecular mechanisms subserving LDHC in cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion were explored both in vitro and in vivo. As a result, we found that high LDHC expression was significantly correlated with clinicopathological features of aggressive LUAD and a poor prognosis. Overexpression of LDHC induced LUAD cells to produce lactate and ATP, increased their metastatic and invasive potential—, and accelerated xenograft tumor growth. We further demonstrated that overexpression of LDHC affected the expression of cell proliferation-related proteins (cyclin D1 and c-Myc) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (MMP-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin, Vimentin, Twist, Slug, and Snail) both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, excessive activation of LDHC enhanced the phosphorylation levels of AKT and GSK-3β, revealing activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β oncogenic-signaling pathways. Treatment with a PI3K inhibitor reversed the effects of LDHC overexpression by inhibiting cellular proliferation, migration, and invasion, with diminished levels of p-Akt and p-GSK3β. PI3K inhibition also reversed cell proliferation-related and EMT-related proteins in LDHC-overexpressing A549 cells. In conclusion, LDHC promotes proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in LUAD cells via activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β pathway.     

Chromodomain Helicase/ATPase DNA-Binding Protein 1-Like Gene (CHD1L) Expression and Implications for Invasion and Metastasis of Breast Cancer

Background

Chromodomain helicase/ATPase DNA-binding protein 1-like gene (CHD1L), also known as ALC1 (amplified in liver cancer 1 gene), is a new oncogene amplified in many solid tumors. Whether this gene plays a role in invasion and metastasis of breast cancer is unknown.

Methods

Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CHD1L in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma and normal mammary glands. Chemotaxis, wound healing, and Transwell invasion assays were also performed to examine cell migration and invasion. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the expression of CHD1L, MMP-2, MMP-9, pAkt/Akt, pARK5/ARK5, and pmTOR/mTOR. Moreover, ELISA was carried out to detect the expression levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Nude mice xenograft model was used to detect the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cell lines.

Results

CHD1L overexpression was observed in 112 of 268 patients (41.8%). This overexpression was associated with lymph node metastasis (P = 0.008), tumor differentiation (P = 0.020), distant metastasis (P = 0.026), MMP-2 (P = 0.035), and MMP-9 expression (P = 0.022). In the cell experiment, reduction of CHD1L inhibited the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells by mediating MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression. CHD1L knockdown via siRNA suppressed EGF-induced pAkt, pARK5, and pmTOR. This knockdown inhibited the metastasis of breast cancer cells into the lungs of SCID mice.

Conclusions

CHD1L promoted the invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells via the PI3K/Akt/ARK5/mTOR/MMP signaling pathway. This study identified CHD1L as a potential anti-metastasis target for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.     

Retracted: Upregulated microRNA-15b alleviates ovarian cancer through inhitbition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by targeting LPAR3

Ovarian cancer characterizes as the fourth leading consequence of death associated with cancer for women. Accumulating evidence underscores the vital roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in preventing ovarian cancer development. Besides, induction of the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase/serine/threonine kinase (PI3K/Akt) pathway associated with the ovarian cancer cell migration and invasion. The study aims to examine the effects of miR-15b on the proliferation, apoptosis, and senescence of human ovarian cancer cells by binding to lysophosphatidic acid receptor 3 (LPAR3) with the involvement of the PI3K/Akt pathway. The positive expression of LPAR3 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. Then the interaction between miR-15b and LPAR3 was examined. The possible role of miR-15b in ovarian cancer was explored using gain- and loss-of-function experiments. Subsequently, the functions of miR-15b on PI3K/Akt pathway, proliferation, migration, invasion, senescence and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells were assessed. Furthermore, in vivo tumorigenicity assay in nude mice was performed. LPAR3 was overexpressed, whereas miR-15b was poorly expressed in ovarian cancer tissues. LPAR3 is a direct target of miR-15b. Restored miR-15b promoted Bax expression, apoptosis, and senescence, inhibited expression of LPAR3 and Bcl-2, the extent of PI3K and Akt phosphorylation, as well as ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Further, tumor growth was observed to be prevented by miR-15b overexpression. Collectively, our study demonstrates that miR-15b represses the proliferation and drives the senescence and apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells through the suppression of LPAR3 and the PI3K/Akt pathway, highlighting an antitumorigenic role of miR-15b.     

The Influences of a Targeting Peptide on the Ovarian Cancer Cell Motility

Tumor metastasis is the major cause of death from ovarian cancer. Therefore, targeted therapy, which could prevent the ability of cells to metastasize to different organs, is an effective treatment for ovarian cancer at present. Previous study indicated that the peptide WSGPGVWGASVK (WSG) inhibited the adhesive ability of SK-OV-3 to extracellular matrix. For further study, we have investigated the effects of the peptide WSG on the ovarian cancer cell migration. Results showed that WSG peptide promoted the migration of SK-OV-3 and HUVEC cells through regulating the expression of talin and (p)-paxilin protein. Besides, WSG peptide inhibited the SK-OV-3 viability. The expression of human matrix metalloproteinase MMP-2 and MMP-9 of SK-OV-3 cells was inhibited. All these results suggested that peptide WSG might be used in ovarian cancer therapy.     

Conditioned media from adipocytes promote proliferation,migration, and invasion in melanoma and colorectal cancer cells

Epidemiological evidence suggests that obesity can significantly increase the risk of various cancers, although the mechanisms underlying this link are completely unknown. Here, we analyzed the effect of adipocytes on melanoma and colon cancer cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. The potential effects of conditioned media (CM) obtained from differentiated mouse 3T3-L1 cells and human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSC) on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of B16BL6 melanoma and colon 26-L5 cancer cells were investigated. The 3T3-L1 and hAMSC CM increased cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in both the cell lines. In addition, adipocytes CM increased matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) and MMP-2 activity in both B16BL6 and colon 26-L5 cells. These effects were found to be associated with an increased expression of various oncogenic proteins in B16BL6 and colon 26-L5 cells. Also, adipocyte CM induced Akt and mTOR activation in both tumor cell lines, and the pharmacological inhibition of Akt and mTOR blocked the CM induced Akt as well as mTOR activation and CM-stimulated melanoma and colon cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. These data suggest that adipocyte promotes melanoma and colon cancer progression through modulating the expression of diverse proteins associated with cancer growth and metastasis as well as modulation of the Akt/mTOR signaling.     

Role of GPER on proliferation,migration and invasion in ligand‐independent manner in human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3

G protein‐coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is identified as a critical estrogen receptor, in addition to the classical estrogen receptors ERα and ERβ. In ERα‐negative ovarian cancer cells, our previous studies have found that estrogen stimulated cell proliferation and metastasis via GPER. However, the ligand‐independent function of GPER in ovarian cancer cells is still not clear. Herein, we describe that GPER has a co‐expression with ERα and ERβ, which are first determined in SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell line. In the absence of estrogen, GPER depletion by specific siRNA inhibits the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3 cells. Whereas abrogation of ERα or ERβ by specific antagonist MPP and PHTPP has the opposite effects for stimulation of cell growth. Markedly, GPER knockdown attenuates MPP or PHTPP‐induced cell proliferation, migration and invasion. Furthermore, GPER modulates protein expression of the cell cycle critical components, c‐fos and cyclin D1 and factors for cancer cell invasion and metastasis, matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2) and MMP‐9. These findings establish that GPER ligand‐independently stimulates the proliferation, migration and invasion of SKOV3 cells. Knockdown of GPER attenuates the progression of ovarian cancer that caused by functional loss of ERα or ERβ. Targeting GPER provides new aspect as a potential therapeutic strategy in ovarian cancer. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Citrate Synthase Expression Affects Tumor Phenotype and Drug Resistance in Human Ovarian Carcinoma

Citrate synthase (CS), one of the key enzymes in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, catalyzes the reaction between oxaloacetic acid and acetyl coenzyme A to generate citrate. Increased CS has been observed in pancreatic cancer. In this study, we found higher CS expression in malignant ovarian tumors and ovarian cancer cell lines compared to benign ovarian tumors and normal human ovarian surface epithelium, respectively. CS knockdown by RNAi could result in the reduction of cell proliferation, and inhibition of invasion and migration of ovarian cancer cells in vitro. The drug resistance was also inhibited possibly through an excision repair cross complementing 1 (ERCC1)-dependent mechanism. Finally, upon CS knockdown we observed significant increase expression of multiple genes, including ISG15, IRF7, CASP7, and DDX58 in SKOV3 and A2780 cells by microarray analysis and real-time PCR. Taken together, these results suggested that CS might represent a potential therapeutic target for ovarian carcinoma.     

The E3 Ligase CHIP Mediates Ubiquitination and Degradation of Mixed-Lineage Kinase 3

Mixed-lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways and has important functions in migration, invasion, proliferation, tumorigenesis, and apoptosis. We investigated the role of the E3 ligase carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP) in the regulation of MLK3 protein levels. We show that CHIP interacts with MLK3 and, together with the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UbcH5 (UbcH5a, -b, -c, or -d), ubiquitinates MLK3 in vitro. CHIP or Hsp70 overexpression promoted endogenous MLK3 ubiquitination and induced a decline in MLK3 protein levels in cells with Hsp90 inhibition. Furthermore, CHIP overexpression caused a proteasome-dependent reduction in exogenous MLK3 protein. Geldanamycin (GA), heat shock, and osmotic shock treatments also reduced the level of MLK3 protein via a CHIP-dependent mechanism. In addition, CHIP depletion in ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells increased cell invasion, and the enhancement of invasiveness was abrogated by small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of MLK3. Thus, CHIP modulates MLK3 protein levels in response to GA and stress stimuli, and CHIP-dependent regulation of MLK3 is required for suppression of SKOV3 ovarian cancer cell invasion.     

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin, inhibits migration and invasion of human prostate cancer PC-3 cells by reducing matrix metalloproteinases expression

Background

Diosgenin, a steroidal saponin obtained from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum), was found to exert anti-carcinogenic properties, such as inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells. However, the effect of diosgenin on cancer metastasis remains unclear. The aim of the study is to examine the effect of diosgenin on migration and invasion in human prostate cancer PC-3 cells.

Methods and Principal Findings

Diosgenin inhibited proliferation of PC-3 cells in a dose-dependent manner. When treated with non-toxic doses of diosgenin, cell migration and invasion were markedly suppressed by in vitro wound healing assay and Boyden chamber invasion assay, respectively. Furthermore, diosgenin reduced the activities of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 by gelatin zymography assay. The mRNA level of MMP-2, -9, -7 and extracellular inducer of matrix metalloproteinase (EMMPRIN) were also suppressed while tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) was increased by diosgenin. In addition, diosgenin abolished the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in PC-3 cells and tube formation of endothelial cells. Our immunoblotting assays indicated that diosgenin potently suppressed the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositide-3 kinase (PI3K), Akt, extracellular signal regulating kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). In addition, diosgenin significantly decreased the nuclear level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), suggesting that diosgenin inhibited NF-κB activity.

Conclusion/Significance

The results suggested that diosgenin inhibited migration and invasion of PC-3 cells by reducing MMPs expression. It also inhibited ERK, JNK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways as well as NF-κB activity. These findings reveal new therapeutic potential for diosgenin in anti-metastatic therapy.     

基于PTEN-PI3K-AKT信号通路探讨竹节参总皂苷抑制人肺腺癌A549细胞增殖和转移的机制

目的:竹节参是人参属植物,和人参成分相似,前期研究其对肺癌具有一定的抑制作用,但作用机制不清,因此,本项目拟研究竹节参皂苷对人肺癌细胞系A549增殖、迁移和侵袭能力以及PTEN-PI3K-AKT信号通路的影响。方法:CCK8法测定不同浓度和不同作用时间的竹节参皂苷对A549存活率的影响,划痕实验测定细胞迁移能力,Transwell小室测定细胞的侵袭能力,ELISA试剂盒测定培养基上清中MMP-2和MMP-9水平的变化。Western blot测定PTEN、P-PI3K和P-Akt表达的变化。结果:竹节参皂苷对A549细胞增殖具有明显的抑制作用,呈浓度和时间依赖关系,与对照组比较具有统计学差异。同时,竹节参皂苷可以浓度依赖性的抑制细胞侵袭和转移,以及MMP-2和MMP-9细胞因子的分泌。Western blot结果表明竹节参皂苷可促进PTEN蛋白表达,抑制P-PI3K和P-Akt蛋白表达,采用PTEN的特异性抑制剂SF1670证实竹节参皂苷通过抑制PTEN发挥作用。结论:竹节参皂苷可抑制肺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭,以及分泌蛋白MMP-2和MMP-9表达,其作用机制可能是通过调控PTEN抑制PI3K和Akt磷酸化,从而发挥抗癌作用。