title: 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.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hirosaki University School of Medicine, Japan.
authors.forename: Shuichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yoshihara
authors.forename: Atsushi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kon
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kudo
authors.forename: Hideaki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakazawa
authors.forename: Ikuko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kakizaki
authors.forename: Mutsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Masahiko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Endo
authors.forename: Keiichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takagaki
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases; D006923:Hymecromone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D006923:Hymecromone; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase; D000076002:Hyaluronan Synthases