Physcion from marine-derived fungus Microsporum sp. induces apoptosis in human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells.
Recently, the relationship between apoptosis and cancer has been emphasized and the induction of apoptosis is recognized as one of the key mechanisms of anti-cancer agents. Marine-derived fungi are valuable sources of structurally diverse bioactive anticancer agents. In the present study, a marine-derived fungus, Microsporum sp. was cultured and an anthraquinone derivative, physcion (11.8 mg) was isolated from the culture broth extract (1710 mg). Physcion has shown cytotoxic effect on human cervical carcinoma HeLa cells and its apoptosis induction in HeLa cells was investigated by the expressions of p53, p21, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, and caspase-3 proteins. The Western blot analysis has revealed that physcion could significantly induce cell apoptosis through down-regulating of Bcl-2 expression, up-regulating of Bax expression, and activating the caspase-3 pathway. Furthermore, physcion induced the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HeLa cells. Collectively, these results suggest that physcion could be a potential candidate in the field of anticancer drug discovery against human cervical cancer.
Marine Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea; Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Isuru
I
Wijesekara
Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Chen
C
Zhang
Marine Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Quang
Q
Van Ta
Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Thanh-Sang
TS
Vo
Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea.
Yong-Xin
YX
Li
Marine Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea; Marine Bioprocess Research Center, Pukyong National University, Busan 608-737, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sknkim@pknu.ac.kr.
Se-Kwon
SK
Kim
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis; D059001:Aquatic Organisms / Q000737:chemistry; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation; D004642:Emodin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects*; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D008864:Microsporum / Q000737:chemistry*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000032:analysis; D015854:Up-Regulation; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3; C008905:physcione; D004642:Emodin
Anthraquinones; Apoptosis; Marine fungi; Physcion; Secondary metabolites