A new meroterpenoid functions as an anti-tumor agent in hepatoma cells by downregulating mTOR activation and inhibiting EMT

作者：Wan, Haoqiang; Li, Jiemei; Zhang, Keda; Zou, Xiaoting; Ge, Lanlan; Zhu, Fuqiang; Zhou, Huirong; Gong, Minna; Wang, Tianwa; Chen, Dongling; Peng, Shusong^*; Zhou, Boping^*; Zeng, Xiaobin^*

来源：Scientific Reports, 2018, 8(1): 13152.

DOI：10.1038/s41598-018-31409-2

• EPITHELIAL-MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION
• WNT/BETA-CATENIN PATHWAY
• ISOLATED RAT HEPATOCYTES
• CHINESE HERBAL MEDICINE
• PROTEIN-DEGRADATION
• CASPASE INHIBITOR
• PROMOTES EMT
• E-CADHERIN
• Z-VAD
• APOPTOSIS

Liver cancer, also known as primary liver cancer, is cancer that starts in the liver. JNU-144, a new meroterpenoid purified from Lithospermum erythrorhizon, has exhibited promising anticancer activity; however, the molecular mechanisms of action of JNU-144 on malignant cells remain unclear. Our studies revealed that JNU-144 suppressed cell viability and proliferation in hepatoma cells by downregulating mTOR activation. Meanwhile, JNU-144 activated the intrinsic apoptosis pathway and subsequently triggered apoptotic cell death in SMMC-7721 cells. We also found that JNU-144 inhibited the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in both SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells through reprogramming of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related gene expression or regulating protein instability. These findings indicate that JNU-144 exerts potent anticancer activity in hepatoma cells and may be developed as a potential therapeutic drug.

• 出版日期2018-9-3
• 单位暨南大学