Cytotoxic proteins combined with prodigiosin obtained from Serratia marcescens have both broad and selective cytotoxic activity on tumor cells.
Cytotoxic proteins and prodigiosin obtained from Serratia marcescens strains are known to induce tumor cell death, nevertheless its combination has not been studied. In this paper we evaluate the combined effects of these molecules in a panel of tumor cell lines. The results showed a marked inhibitory effect on the growth of tumor cell lines derived from tumors (i.e., melanoma) which are highly resistant to conventional anticancer drugs, while normal cells were less sensitive than tumor cells. TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling) and electrophoresis of HEp-2 cell DNA treated with MG2327 preparation [containing the P50 protein belonging to the serralysins and prodigiosin, from S. marcescens CMIB4202] showed a pattern of DNA fragments typically associated with apoptosis. Interestingly, prodigiosin enhanced by 1.6-fold the cytotoxic effect of P50 when acting in combination on HEp-2 cells. The broad cytotoxic activity of the combination on tumor cells as well as its selectivity open new frontiers in cancer therapy.
Abrahantes-Pérez
M C
MC
Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana 10600, P.O. Box 6162, Cuba. mc.abrahantes@cigb.edu.cu
Reyes-González
J
J
Véliz Ríos
G
G
Bequet-Romero
M
M
Gómez Riera
R
R
Anais Gasmury
C
C
Huerta
V
V
González
L J
LJ
Canino
C
C
Garcia
J
J
Váldez
J
J
Reyes
B
B
Váldes
R
R
Martínez
E
E
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011353:Prodigiosin / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000737:chemistry*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D011353:Prodigiosin