1
|
Analgesic-antitumor peptide inhibits angiogenesis by suppressing AKT activation in hepatocellular carcinoma. Mol Cell Biochem 2018; 455:119-125. [PMID: 30535530 DOI: 10.1007/s11010-018-3475-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of leading causes of cancer-related death, and its increasing incidence worldwide is a cause for concern. The recombinant analgesic-antitumor peptide (rAGAP), a protein consisting of small ubiquitin-related modifier linked with a hexa-histidine tag, exhibited the antitumor activity in HepG2 tumors in our previous study. However, the underlying molecular mechanism of its antitumor activity was still elusive. In this work, we found that treatment with rAGAP reduced phosphorylation of AKT at non-toxic doses in HepG2 cells in vitro. More importantly, treatment of HepG2 cells with rAGAP downregulated protein expression of HIF-1α, suppressed activities of HIF, reduced secretion of VEGF and IL-8, and suppressed HepG2-induced tube formation by HUVEC, which was reversed by co-incubation with SC-79 (an AKT activator). Furthermore, in tumors of athymic mice with HepG2, treatment with rAGAP reduced phosphorylation of AKT, downregulated protein expression of HIF-1α and VEGF, and microvessel density marked by positive CD31 staining. Collectively, rAGAP inhibited angiogenesis by suppressing AKT activation, which partly explained its antitumor activity in HCC.
Collapse
|
2
|
Barreto dos Santos N, Bonfanti AP, Rocha‐e‐Silva TAAD, da Silva PI, da Cruz‐Höfling MA, Verinaud L, Rapôso C. Venom of the
Phoneutria nigriventer
spider alters the cell cycle, viability, and migration of cancer cells. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:1398-1415. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.26935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Natália Barreto dos Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | - Amanda Pires Bonfanti
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | | | | | - Maria Alice da Cruz‐Höfling
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Tecidual Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | - Liana Verinaud
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| | - Catarina Rapôso
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP) Campinas Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ma R, Mahadevappa R, Kwok HF. Venom-based peptide therapy: insights into anti-cancer mechanism. Oncotarget 2017; 8:100908-100930. [PMID: 29246030 PMCID: PMC5725072 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.21740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The 5-year relative survival rate of all types of cancer has increased significantly over the past three decades partly due to the targeted therapy. However, still there are many targeted therapy drugs could play a role only in a portion of cancer patients with specific molecular alternation. It is necessary to continue to develop new biological agents which could be used alone and/or in combination with current FDA approved drugs to treat complex cancer diseases. Venom-based drugs have been used for hundreds of years in human history. Nevertheless, the venom-origin of the anti-cancer drug do rarely appear in the pharmaceutical market; and this is due to the fact that the mechanism of action for a large number of the venom drug such as venom-based peptide is not clearly understood. In this review, we focus on discussing some identified venom-based peptides and their anti-cancer mechanisms including the blockade of cancer cell proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, and metastasis (hallmarks of cancer) to fulfill the gap which is hindering their use in cancer therapy. Furthermore, it also highlights the importance of immunotherapy based on venom peptide. Overall, this review provides readers for further understanding the mechanism of venom peptide and elaborates on the need to explore peptide-based therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Ma
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Ravikiran Mahadevappa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| | - Hang Fai Kwok
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida de Universidade, Taipa, Macau SAR
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang XY, Zhang PY. Scorpion venoms in gastric cancer. Oncol Lett 2016; 12:3683-3686. [PMID: 27900054 PMCID: PMC5104148 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2016.5134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Venom secretions from snakes, scorpions, spiders and bees, have been widely applied in traditional medicine and current biopharmaceutical research. Possession of anticancer potential is another novel discovery for animal venoms and toxins. An increasing number of studies have shown the anticancer effects of venoms and toxins of snakes, and scorpions in vitro and in vivo, which were achieved mainly through the inhibition of cancer growth, arrest of cell cycle, induction of apoptosis and suppression of cancer metastasis. However, more evidence is needed to support this concept and the mechanisms of anticancer actions are not clearly understood. The present review is focused on the recant updates on anticancer venom research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Ying Zhang
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Information Institute, Nanjing, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| | - Pei-Ying Zhang
- Department of Cardiology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, The Affiliated Xuzhou Hospital of Medical College of Southeast University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu 221009, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chen H, Zhidan W, Xia R, Zhaoxia W, Qing J, Qiang G, Haipeng Y, Hengxiao W. Scorpion venom activates natural killer cells in hepatocellular carcinoma via the NKG2D-MICA pathway. Int Immunopharmacol 2016; 35:307-314. [PMID: 27089390 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 03/25/2016] [Accepted: 03/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have demonstrated that polypeptides extracted from scorpion venom (PESV) inhibited cell proliferation in several tumors, however, the effect on dysfunctional and exhausted natural killer cells which contribute to tumor escape from immune surveillance remain to be elucidated. In this study, we determined the effect of PESV on NK infiltration into H22 cells orthotopic transplantation tumors and on the expression of MHC class I chain-related proteins A (MICA) in HepG2 cells. We found that tumor growth in mice was significantly inhibited by PESV and the survival time of tumor-bearing mice treated with PESV was significantly prolonged. Moreover, levels of tumor-infiltrating NK cells, NKG2D protein, perforin and granzyme B mRNA were significantly increased in the group treated with PESV compared with the tumor-bearing control group. In addition, In addition, up-regulation of MICA by PESV enhances the susceptibility of HepG2 cells to NK lysis in vitro. These results indicate that the inhibitory effects of PESV on hepatic carcinoma are likely mediated by up-regulation of NK cell activity via the MICA-NKG2D pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han Chen
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China; School of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Jinan-Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
| | - Wang Zhidan
- Department of Frontier Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 7-2-10 Higashiogu, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ren Xia
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
| | - Wang Zhaoxia
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
| | - Jia Qing
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
| | - Guo Qiang
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
| | - Yin Haipeng
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China
| | - Wang Hengxiao
- Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250062, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Al-Asmari AK, Islam M, Al-Zahrani AM. In vitro analysis of the anticancer properties of scorpion venom in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Oncol Lett 2015; 11:1256-1262. [PMID: 26893728 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2015.4036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom contains various types of proteins and peptides that are able to act as inhibitors of neurotransmitter molecules. This is achieved primarily via the inhibition of ion channels. In addition, scorpion venom has been demonstrated to exhibit anticancer properties in prostate and breast cancer, as well as leukemia. The anticancer properties of scorpion venom are due to its inhibitory effect on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, which leads to reduced motility and invasion in tumor cells. The inhibitory effects of venom on MMPs additionally lead to a reduction in the metastatic potential of malignant tumors. In the present study, the effect of venom obtained from a local serpentarium facility was examined in colorectal and breast cancer cell lines. Cell motility and clonogenic survival assays revealed a significant decrease (60-90%) in cell motility and colony formation, two significant hallmarks of cancer survival, following treatment with various concentrations of venom. These results were in agreement with previous studies demonstrating the anticancer activity of scorpion venom. In conclusion, the venom utilized at the Research Center of Prince Sultan Military Medical City Hospital (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) possesses significant anticancer potential against colorectal and breast cancer cell lines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Mozaffarul Islam
- Research Center, Prince Sultan Military Medical City Hospital, Riyadh 11159, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Mater Al-Zahrani
- Department of Oncology, Prince Sultan Military Medical City Hospital, Riyadh 11159, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Li W, Xin Y, Chen Y, Li X, Zhang C, Bai J, Yuan J. The anti-proliferative effects and mechanisms of low molecular weight scorpion BmK venom peptides on human hepatoma and cervical carcinoma cells in vitro.. Oncol Lett 2014; 8:1581-1584. [PMID: 25202371 PMCID: PMC4156272 DOI: 10.3892/ol.2014.2336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2013] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptides from scorpion venom have been previously studied for use in the prevention and treatment of various types of cancer in folk medicine. The present study investigated the anti-proliferative effects and mechanisms of the low molecular weight (~3 kDa) BmK scorpion venom peptides (LMWSVP) on human hepatoma (SMMC 7721) and cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cells. The data indicated that LMWSVP inhibited the growth of SMMC 7721 cells, but had no effect on the growth of HeLa cells. SMMC 7721 cells were more sensitive, with a higher affinity, to LMWSVP as compared with HeLa cells. In addition, LMWSVP induced apoptosis of SMMC 7721 cells by upregulating the expression of caspase-3 and downregulating the expression of Bcl-2. These data provide an experimental basis for further purification and application of LMWSVP for use as an anti-tumor drug in clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weiling Li
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Yi Xin
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Yang Chen
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Xinli Li
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Cuili Zhang
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Jing Bai
- Department of Biotechnology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| | - Jieli Yuan
- Department of Microecology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning 116044, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ding J, Chua PJ, Bay BH, Gopalakrishnakone P. Scorpion venoms as a potential source of novel cancer therapeutic compounds. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2014; 239:387-93. [PMID: 24599885 DOI: 10.1177/1535370213513991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpions and their venoms have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years in China, India and Africa. The scorpion venom is a highly complex mixture of salts, nucleotides, biogenic amines, enzymes, mucoproteins, as well as peptides and proteins (e.g. neurotoxins). One of the recently observed biological properties of animal venoms and toxins is that they possess anticancer potential. An increasing number of studies have shown that scorpion venoms and toxins can decrease cancer growth, induce apoptosis and inhibit cancer progression and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Several active molecules with anticancer activities, ranging from inhibition of proliferation and cell cycle arrest to induction of apoptosis and decreasing cell migration and invasion, have been isolated from scorpion venoms. These observations have shed light on the application of scorpion venoms and toxins as potential novel cancer therapeutics. This mini-review focuses on the anticancer potential of scorpion venoms and toxins and the possible mechanisms for their antitumor activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jian Ding
- Venom and Toxin Research Programme, Department of Anatomy, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117 597
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Song X, Zhang G, Sun A, Guo J, Tian Z, Wang H, Liu Y. Scorpion venom component III inhibits cell proliferation by modulating NF-κB activation in human leukemia cells. Exp Ther Med 2012; 4:146-150. [PMID: 23060939 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2012.548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 04/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Scorpion venom contains various groups of compounds that exhibit anticancer activity against a variety of malignancies through a poorly understood mechanism. While the aberrant activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) has been linked with hematopoietic malignancies, we hypothesized that scorpion venom mediates its effects by modulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. In the present study, we examined the effects of scorpion venom component III (SVCIII) on the human leukemia cell lines THP-1 and Jurkat and focused on the NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results showed that SVCIII inhibited cell proliferation, caused cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and inhibited the expression of cell cycle regulatory protein cyclin D1 in a dose-dependent manner in THP-1 and Jurkat cells. SVCIII also suppressed the constitutive NF-κB activation through inhibition of the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. NF-κB luciferase reporter activity was also inhibited by SVCIII. Our data suggest that SVCIII, a natural compound, may exert its antiproliferative effects by inhibiting the activation of NF-κB and, thus, has potential use in the treatment of hematopoietic malignancies, alone or in combination with other agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Song
- Department of Pediatrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou; ; Department of Immunology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ni Z, Tang J, Cai Z, Yang W, Zhang L, Chen Q, Zhang L, Wang X. A new pathway of glucocorticoid action for asthma treatment through the regulation of PTEN expression. Respir Res 2011; 12:47. [PMID: 21489309 PMCID: PMC3096598 DOI: 10.1186/1465-9921-12-47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2010] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background "Phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10" (PTEN) is mostly considered to be a cancer-related gene, and has been suggested to be a new pathway of pathogenesis of asthma. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, on PTEN regulation. Methods OVA-challenged mice were used as an asthma model to investigate the effect of dexamethasone on PTEN regulation. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect expression levels of PTEN protein in lung tissues. The human A549 cell line was used to explore the possible mechanism of action of dexamethasone on human PTEN regulation in vitro. A luciferase reporter construct under the control of PTEN promoter was used to confirm transcriptional regulation in response to dexamethasone. Results PTEN protein was found to be expressed at low levels in lung tissues in asthmatic mice; but the expression was restored after treatment with dexamethasone. In A549 cells, human PTEN was up-regulated by dexamethasone treatment. The promoter-reporter construct confirmed that dexamethasone could regulate human PTEN transcription. Treatment with the histone deacetylase inhibitor, TSA, could increase PTEN expression in A549 cells, while inhibition of histone acetylase (HAT) by anacardic acid attenuated dexamethasone-induced PTEN expression. Conclusions Based on the data a new mechanism is proposed where glucocorticoids treat asthma partly through up-regulation of PTEN expression. The in vitro studies also suggest that the PTEN pathway may be involved in human asthma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- ZhenHua Ni
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, PR China
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Heinen TE, Gorini da Veiga AB. Arthropod venoms and cancer. Toxicon 2011; 57:497-511. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2011.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2010] [Revised: 12/13/2010] [Accepted: 01/04/2011] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
12
|
Gupta SD, Gomes A, Debnath A, Saha A, Gomes A. Apoptosis induction in human leukemic cells by a novel protein Bengalin, isolated from Indian black scorpion venom: through mitochondrial pathway and inhibition of heat shock proteins. Chem Biol Interact 2009; 183:293-303. [PMID: 19913524 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2009.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2009] [Revised: 10/30/2009] [Accepted: 11/05/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Scorpion venom possesses protein toxins having numerous biological activities, some of which are potentially anticancerous. Previously we had reported antiproliferative activity of the venom of Indian black scorpion, Heterometrus bengalensis Koch. Here we have isolated and purified a novel protein named Bengalin (72kDa) from the venom, responsible for antiproliferative and apoptogenic activities against human leukemic cells U937 (histiocytic lymphoma) and K562 (chronic myelogenous leukemia). N-terminal sequence of first 20 amino acids of Bengalin was G-P-L-T-I-L-H-I-N-D-V-H-A-A/R-F-E-Q/G-F/G-N-T. Bengalin induced cell growth inhibition at IC(50) values of 3.7 and 4.1 microg/ml for U937 and K562 cells respectively did not significantly affect normal human lymphocytes. Inhibition of U937 and K562 cell proliferation occurred by apoptosis as evidenced from damaged nuclei, cell cycle arrest at sub G1 phase, increase of early apoptotic cells, augmentation of DNA fragmentation and also a reduction of telomerase activity. Further insights revealed that Bax:Bcl2 ratio was elevated after Bengalin treatment. Moreover Bengalin elicited loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) which commenced cytochrome c release in cytosol, decreased heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and 90 expression, activated caspase-9, caspase-3 and induced poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage. We have also determined that HSP70 and 90 inhibitions correlated with Bengalin induced antiproliferation, caspase-3 upregulation, apoptogenesis and increased DNA fragmentation. These results hypothesize that Bengalin might provide a putative molecular mechanism for their anticancer effect on human leukemic cells which might be mediated by mitochondrial death cascade. Inhibition of HSPs might also play a crucial role in induction of apoptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shubho Das Gupta
- Drug Development Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata-700032, India
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|