Insights into the potential of picoplanktonic marine cyanobacteria strains for cancer therapies - Cytotoxic mechanisms against the RKO colon cancer cell line.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

In this work, we analysed the potential of picoplanktonic marine cyanobacteria strains as a source of anticancer compounds by elucidating the cytotoxic mechanisms of an ethyl acetate fraction of Cyanobium sp. (LEGE06113) and the Synechocystis salina (LEGE06155) on the RKO colon adenocarcinoma cell line.

METHODS:

Cytotoxicity was analysed by MTT. Effects on cells were evaluated by mRNA expression of cell cycle and apoptotic genes, flow cytometry (cell cycle), qualitative and quantitative fluorescence microscopy (apoptosis), and quantitative proteomics.

RESULTS:

IC50 values were 27.01 and 8.03 μg/ml for Cyanobium sp., and 37.71 and 17.17 μg/ml for Synechocystis salina, after 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Exposure to the Cyanobium sp. fraction increased 2.5 fold BCL-2 mRNA expression (p < 0.05), and altered proteins (13, p < 0.05) belonged to apoptosis (PSMA5, PSMA7, TPT1, UBE2K), cell cycle (EIF4E, PCNA), cellular metabolism (AHSG, GLO1, ATP5H, HSP90AB1, NME1, HNRNPC) and cell structure (KRT10). Exposure to the Synechocystis salina fraction decreased 2fold CCNB1 mRNA expression (p < 0.05). Accordingly, flow cytometry demonstrated a decrease of cells in the G0/G1 and S phase (p < 0.05), indicating a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M transition. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed a higher level of apoptosis compared to the solvent control group (p < 0.01). Altered proteins (6, p < 0.05) belonged to apoptosis (HSPD1, UBE2K), protein metabolism (PKM, PDIA3) and cell structure (KRT10, KRT1).

CONCLUSION:

Since induction of cytotoxicity is a very broad parameter, the study demonstrates the potential of picocyanobacteria to produce bioactive compounds that target cancer cells via different molecular mechanisms.

• Authors: Sara Freitas, Rosário Martins, Alexandre Campos, Joana Azevedo, Hugo Osório, Margarida Costa, Piedade Barros, Vitor Vasconcelos, Ralph Urbatzka
• Journal: Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology (Toxicon) Vol. 119 Pg. 140-51 (Sep 01 2016) ISSN: 1879-3150 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 27242042 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cyanobacteria (physiology)
• Humans
• Marine Biology
• Plankton (physiology)
• Tumor Protein, Translationally-Controlled 1