title: H2S donor, S-propargyl-cysteine, increases CSE in SGC-7901 and cancer-induced mice: evidence for a novel anti-cancer effect of endogenous H2S?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC), an H(2)S donor, is a structural analogue of S-allycysteine (SAC). It was investigated for its potential anti-cancer effect on SGC-7901 gastric cancer cells and the possible mechanisms that may be involved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  SPRC treatment significantly decreased cell viability, suppressed the proliferation and migration of SPRC-7901 gastric cancer cells, was pro-apoptotic as well as caused cell cycle arrest at the G(1)/S phase. In an in vivo study, intra-peritoneal injection of 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg of SPRC significantly reduced tumor weights and tumor volumes of gastric cancer implants in nude mice, with a tumor growth inhibition rate of 40-75%. SPRC also induced a pro-apoptotic effect in cancer tissues and elevated the expressions of p53 and Bax in tumors and cells. SPRC treatment also increased protein expression of cystathione-γ-lyase (CSE) in cells and tumors, and elevated H(2)S levels in cell culture media, plasma and tumoral CSE activity of gastric cancer-induced nude mice by 2, 2.3 and 1.4 fold, respectively. Most of the anti-cancer functions of SPRC on cells and tumors were significantly suppressed by PAG, an inhibitor of CSE activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Taken together, the results of our study provide insights into a novel anti-cancer effect of H(2)S as well as of SPRC on gastric cancer through inducing the activity of a new target, CSE.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
authors: Kaium
authors: K
authors: Ma
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Qing
authors: Q
authors: Zhu
authors: Chun-hua
authors: CH
authors: Liu
authors: Jun-Li
authors: JL
authors: Duan
authors: Benny K-H
authors: BK
authors: Tan
authors: Yi Zhun
authors: YZ
authors: Zhu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase / Q000378:metabolism*; D003545:Cysteine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000097:blood*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008819:Mice, Nude; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C556437:S-propargylcysteine; D003542:Cystathionine gamma-Lyase; D003545:Cysteine; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide