Apigenin suppresses the expression of VEGF, an important factor for angiogenesis, in endothelial cells via degradation of HIF-1alpha protein

FEBS Lett. 2004 Sep 24;575(1-3):59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2004.08.036.

Abstract

Apigenin, a plant-derived flavone, is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, but the mechanisms leading to the pathological anti-angiogenic effects of apigenin are still unclear. In this study, we found that apigenin inhibited the hypoxia-induced expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in human umbilical artery endothelial cells. Apigenin also suppressed the expression of erythropoietin mRNA, which is a typical hypoxia-inducible gene, via the degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) alpha. We investigated the effect of apigenin on the interaction of HIF-1alpha with heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is reported to be important for the stabilization of HIF-1alpha, and found that VEGF expression was inhibited via degradation of HIF-1alpha through interference with the function of Hsp90.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Apigenin / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cobalt / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Endothelium, Vascular / cytology
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Erythropoietin / genetics
  • Erythropoietin / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Hypoxia
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / genetics
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism*

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • HIF1A protein, human
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit
  • Transcription Factors
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Erythropoietin
  • Cobalt
  • Apigenin