A hyaluronan synthase suppressor, 4-methylumbelliferone, inhibits liver metastasis of melanoma cells.

Abstract

4-Methylumbelliferone (MU) inhibits the cell surface hyaluronan (HA) formation, and that such inhibition results in suppression of adhesion and locomotion of cultured melanoma cells. Here, we examine the effect of MU on melanoma cell metastasis in vivo. MU-treated melanoma cells showed both decreased cell surface HA formation and suppression of liver metastasis after injection into the mice. Oral administration of MU to mice decreased tissue HA content. These HA knock-down mice displayed suppressed liver metastasis. Thus, both cell surface HA of melanoma cells and recipient liver HA can promote liver metastasis, indicating that MU has potential as an anti-metastatic agent.

• Authors: Shuichi Yoshihara, Atsushi Kon, Daisuke Kudo, Hideaki Nakazawa, Ikuko Kakizaki, Mutsuo Sasaki, Masahiko Endo, Keiichi Takagaki
• Journal: FEBS letters (FEBS Lett) Vol. 579 Issue 12 Pg. 2722-6 (May 09 2005) ISSN: 0014-5793 [Print] England
• PMID: 15862315 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Hymecromone
• Glucuronosyltransferase
• Hyaluronan Synthases

Topics

• Administration, Oral
• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents (administration & dosage, blood, pharmacology)
• Cell Adhesion (drug effects)
• Cell Movement (drug effects)
• Female
• Glucuronosyltransferase (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Hyaluronan Synthases
• Hymecromone (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, blood, pharmacology)
• Liver Neoplasms (secondary)
• Melanoma, Experimental (drug therapy, pathology, physiopathology)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Neoplasm Metastasis (prevention & control)