Emodin enhances gefitinib-induced cytotoxicity via Rad51 downregulation and ERK1/2 inactivation |
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Authors: | Ruey-Shyang Chen Ying-Jhen Su Chao-Min Cheng Szu-Ting Lin Jen-Chung Ko |
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Institution: | a Molecular Genetics of Microorganisms Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, Chiayi, Taiwan b Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, National Chiayi University, 300 Syuefu Road, Chiayi 600, Taiwan c Institute of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan d Department of Internal Medicine, Hsinchu Hospital, Department of Health, The Executive Yuan, Taiwan |
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Abstract: | Emodin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a natural anthraquinone derivative found in the roots and rhizomes of numerous plants. It reportedly exhibits an anticancer effect on lung cancer. Gefitinib (Iressa) is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor for human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanism of how emodin combined with gefitinib decreases NSCLC cell viability is unclear. The recombinase protein Rad51 is essential for homologous recombination repair, and Rad51 overexpression is resistant to DNA double-strand break-inducing cancer therapies. In this study, we found that emodin enhanced the cytotoxicity induced by gefitinib in two NSCLC cells lines, A549 and H1650. Emodin at low doses of 2-10 μM did not affect ERK1/2 activation, mRNA, and Rad51 protein levels; however, it enhanced a gefitinib-induced decrease in phospho-ERK1/2 and Rad51 protein levels by enhancing Rad51 protein instability. Expression of constitutively active MKK1/2 vectors (MKK1/2-CA) significantly rescued the reduced phospho-ERK1/2 and Rad51 protein levels as well as cell viability on gefitinib and emodin cotreatment. Blocking of ERK1/2 activation by U0126 (an MKK1/2 inhibitor) lowered Rad51 protein levels and cell viability in emodin-treated H1650 and A549 cells. Knockdown of Rad51 expression by transfection with si-Rad51 RNA enhanced emodin cytotoxicity. In contrast, Rad51 overexpression protected the cells from the cytotoxic effects induced by emodin and gefitinib. Consequently, emodin-gefitinib cotreatment may serve as the basis for a novel and better therapeutic modality in the management of advanced lung cancer. |
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Keywords: | Rad51 Emodin Gefitinib ERK1/2 Non-small cell lung cancer |
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