Gum mastic increases maspin expression in prostate cancer cells.
OBJECTIVE
To study whether gum mastic, a natural resin, can regulate maspin expression in prostate cancer cells, and further investigate the mechanisms involved in this regulatory system.


METHODS
RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect maspin expression at the transcriptional and translational levels. Reporter gene assay was used to investigate the effect of gum mastic on the maspin promoter. The binding activity of negative androgen-responsive element (ARE) and positive Sp1 element in the maspin promoter were studied by electrophoretic mobility shift assay.


RESULTS
Gum mastic induced maspin mRNA and protein expression, and the maspin promoter activity was enhanced with gum mastic treatment. Finally, gum mastic inhibited the ARE binding activity and increased the Sp1 binding activity in the maspin promoter.


CONCLUSIONS
Gum mastic enhances maspin promoter activity by suppressing ARE binding activity and enhancing Sp1 binding activity, and the increased activity in the maspin promoter finally leads to the up-regulation of both its mRNA and protein levels.
He
Mei-lan
ML
Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, Shandong University, Ji-nan 250012, China.
Chen
Wei-wen
WW
Zhang
Peng-ju
PJ
Jiang
An-li
AL
Fan
Wei
W
Yuan
Hui-qing
HQ
Liu
Wen-wen
WW
Zhang
Jian-ye
JY
D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D000069997:Mastic Resin; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D012116:Resins, Plant / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015843:Serpins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D000069997:Mastic Resin; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D012116:Resins, Plant; C085344:SERPIN-B5; D015843:Serpins; D016329:Sp1 Transcription Factor