Affiliation:
1. Department of Biological Sciences Bronx Community College/City University of New York Bronx New York USA
2. Department of Biological Sciences Lehman College/City University of New York Bronx New York USA
3. Department of Computer Science Stanford University Stanford California USA
4. Biology Doctoral Program The Graduate School and University Center, City University of New York New York New York USA
Abstract
AbstractDiminazene aceturate (DIZE) is an FDA‐listed small molecule known for the treatment of African sleeping sickness. In vivo studies showed that DIZE may be beneficial for a range of human ailments. However, there is very limited information on the effects of DIZE on human cancer cells. The current study aimed to investigate the cytotoxic responses of DIZE, using the human carcinoma Hela cell line. WST‐1 cell proliferation assay showed that DIZE inhibited the viability of Hela cells in a dose‐dependent manner and the observed response was associated with the downregulation of Ki67 and PCNA cell proliferation markers. DIZE‐treated cells stained with acridine orange‐ethidium and JC‐10 dye revealed cell death and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (Ψm), compared with DMSO (vehicle) control, respectively. Cellular immunofluorescence staining of DIZE‐treated cells showed upregulation of caspase 3 activities. DIZE‐treated cells showed downregulation of mRNA for G1/S genes CCNA2 and CDC25A, S‐phase genes MCM3 and PLK4, and G2/S phase transition/mitosis genes Aurka and PLK1. These effects were associated with decreased mRNA expression of Furin, c‐Myc, and FOXM1 oncogenes. These results suggested that DIZE may be considered for its effects on other cancer types. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of DIZE on human cervical cancer cells.
Funder
National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Subject
Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis,Toxicology,Molecular Biology,Molecular Medicine,Biochemistry,General Medicine