Plant-originated glycoprotein, G-120, inhibits the growth of MCF-7 cells and induces their apoptosis.
We characterized the biological function of G-120, glycoprotein isolated from the ethanol extract of the herb, Ulmus davidiana Nakai (UDN). G-120 has anti-tumor activity and significantly inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 cells, as measured by the thymidine uptake assay. In addition, MTT and trypan blue exclusion experiments showed that the G-120-mediated inhibition of DNA synthesis may be due to a cytostatic, rather than a cytotoxic effect. Further studies of DNA analysis and propidium iodide staining revealed that G-120 induces apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, G-120 (100 microg/ml) completely suppressed the binding of NF-kappaB to DNA and increased the cytosolic level of IkappaBalpha which prevented nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB. In addition, G-120 increased the expression of c-Jun, Fra-1, and Fra-2, but did not affect the expression of c-Fos. Collectively, it is believed that G-120 exerts an important role in the induction of apoptosis, suppression of NF-kappaB activation, and induction of c-Jun/Fra-1 or c-Jun/Fra-2 dimerization in MCF-7 cells. Consequently, G-120 could be considered as an anti-cancer agent, although further detailed experiments should be performed.
Lee
J-C
JC
Department of Orthodontics and Institute of Oral Bioscience, Chonbuk National University, Chonju 561-756, Republic of Korea.
Lee
K-Y
KY
Son
Y-O
YO
Choi
K-C
KC
Kim
J
J
Truong
T T
TT
Jang
Y-S
YS
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects*; D034403:Ulmus
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D006023:Glycoproteins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D010936:Plant Extracts