title: c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 is required for cordycepin-mediated induction of G2/M cell-cycle arrest via p21WAF1 expression in human colon cancer cells.
abstract: Cordycepin (3'-deoxyadenosine) has many anti-cancer properties. However, neither its molecular mechanism nor its molecular targets are well understood. In the present study, we investigated novel molecular mechanisms for the anti-tumor effects of cordycepin in human colon cancer HCT116 cells. After treatment of cells with cordycepin, dose-dependent cell growth inhibition was observed at an IC(50) value of 200muM. Cordycepin treatment resulted in G2/M-phase cell-cycle arrest, which was associated with increased p21WAF1 levels and reduced amounts of cyclin B1, Cdc2, and Cdc25c in a p53-independent pathway. Moreover, cordycepin treatment induced activation of JNK (c-Jun N-terminal kinases). Pretreatment with SP600125, a JNK-specific inhibitor, abrogated cordycepin-mediated p21WAF1 expression, cell growth inhibition, and reduced cell-cycle proteins. Furthermore, JNK1 inhibition by small interfering RNA (siRNA) produced similar results: suppression of cordycepin-induced p21WAF1 expression, decreased cell growth, and reduced cell-cycle proteins. Together, these results suggest a critical role for JNK1 activation in cordycepin-induced inhibition of cell growth and G2/M-phase arrest in human colon cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Biotechnology, Chungju National University, Chungju, Chungbuk 380-702, South Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gi-Seong
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Kyung-Hwan
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Wun-Jae
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sung-Kwon
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Moon
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology*; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003839:Deoxyadenosines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016195:G2 Phase / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D047468:Immunoprecipitation; D048055:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D048056:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D003839:Deoxyadenosines; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; C432165:pyrazolanthrone; D048056:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 9; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D048055:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 8; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C058120:cordycepin