title: Curcumin sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer cell anoikis through reactive oxygen species-mediated Bcl-2 downregulation.
abstract: Anoikis, an apoptosis triggered by loss of cell anchorage, has been shown to be a principal mechanism of inhibition of tumor metastasis. Recently, anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Cav-1 proteins have been demonstrated to be highly associated with tumor metastasis and apoptosis resistance. Curcumin, a major active component of turmeric, Curcuma longa, has been shown to inhibit neoplastic evolution and tumor progression; however, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of curcumin on cell anoikis as a possible mechanism of anti-tumorigenic action of curcumin, and evaluated the potential role of Bcl-2 and Cav-1 in this process. Our results showed that ectopic expression of either Bcl-2 or Cav-1 induced anoikis resistance of lung carcinoma H460 cells. Curcumin downregulated Bcl-2 protein during anoikis and sensitized the cells to detachment-induced apoptosis, whereas it had no significant effect on Cav-1 protein expression. Bcl-2 down-regulation as well as anoikis enhancement by curcumin were inhibited by superoxide anion scavenger, Mn(III)tetrakis(4-benzoic acid) porphyrin chloride, but were unaffected by other ROS scavengers including catalase and deferoxamine, suggesting that superoxide anion is a key player in the downregulation of Bcl-2 by curcumin. Furthermore, we provided evidence that curcumin decreased Bcl-2 level through ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation which sensitized cells to detachment-induced apoptosis. These findings indicate a novel pathway for curcumin regulation of Bcl-2 and provide a key mechanism of anoikis regulation that may be exploited for metastatic cancer treatment.
authors.affiliation: Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
authors.forename: Varisa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pongrakhananon
authors.forename: Ubonthip
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Nimmannit
authors.forename: Sudjit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Luanpitpong
authors.forename: Yon
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rojanasakul
authors.forename: Pithi
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Chanvorachote
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023102:Anoikis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051242:Caveolin 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003474:Curcumin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D013481:Superoxides / Q000378:metabolism; D025801:Ubiquitin / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D051242:Caveolin 1; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D025801:Ubiquitin; D013481:Superoxides; D003474:Curcumin