title: Imidazole inhibits B16 melanoma cell migration via degradation of beta-catenin.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, we determined whether or not imidazole affects B16 murine melanoma cell migration to prevent melanoma metastasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  To determine the effects of imidazole on melanoma cell migration, B16 cells were treated with imidazole at various concentrations, and the migration was measured using a scratch migration assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Imidazole did not exhibit cytotoxic effects on B16 cells at a concentration below 100 microm. The anti-migratory activity of imidazole was determined by the scratch migration assay. Our results showed that imidazole significantly inhibits B16 cell migration. It is known that the Wnt/beta-catenin signalling pathway regulates the progression of melanocytic tumours and determines the prognosis in cutaneous melanomas. Western blot analysis demonstrated that imidazole increases phosphorylation of beta-catenin and subsequent degradation of beta-catenin. Moreover, inhibition of melanoma cell migration by imidazole was restored by MG132, a proteasome inhibitor, via inhibition of beta-catenin degradation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Imidazole inhibits B16 cell migration through beta-catenin degradation, suggesting that imidazole is a potential candidate for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Aug University College of Medicine, 221 Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Yun-Mi
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Hailan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Su Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hye-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Kwang Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.forename: Nyoun Soo
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Dong-Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007976:Leupeptins / Q000494:pharmacology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010766:Phosphorylation; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007093:Imidazoles; D007976:Leupeptins; D051176:beta Catenin; C029899:imidazole; C072553:benzyloxycarbonylleucyl-leucyl-leucine aldehyde