Total protein of Candida species inhibits human cervical cancer HeLa cells proliferation by down-regulating octamer binding transcription factor 4B

Abstract

Abstract Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death among women globally. Microbial products represent an available source of anticancer drugs. Thus, this study aimed to extract the total protein from Candidaspecies (CanSp) and subsequently investigate its inhibitory effects against human cervical cancer HeLa cells. This study reports the five total protein of the yeast-to-hyphal transition culture of Candida species, which were then evaluated for their inhibitory potential by cell viability, cell apoptosis and nitrite assays against HeLa cells. Furthermore, transcriptional profile of OCT4B gene was determined using quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Total protein of CanSp1-5 were obtained from Candida species. The result of the protein quantitation assay indicated that the CanSp1-5 exhibited total protein values from 93.72 to 155.25 µg/mL and 89.88 to 144.33 µg/mL by Bradford and micro-Kjeldahl methods, respectively. The CanSp1 was most active with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration of 157.11 ± 0.001 μg/mL and half-maximal effective concentration of 102 ± 0.001 μg/mL. The distinct morphological changes of cells were showed a typical apoptosis. Moreover, a reduction in the nitric oxide concentration was observed in the HeLa cells. The expression level of OCT4B gene was significantly down regulated in the HeLa cells treated with CanSp1-5. These findings highlight the importance of investigating microbial products for the accelerated development new anticancer drugs. In addition, OCT4B gene could be probable molecular target of the CanSp1-5 in the HeLa cells.