Antitumor Activity of Ohmyungsamycin A through the Regulation of the Skp2-p27 Axis and MCM4 in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells

J Nat Prod. 2020 Jan 24;83(1):118-126. doi: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.9b00918. Epub 2020 Jan 2.

Abstract

Ohmyungsamycin A (1), a novel cyclic peptide discovered from a marine Streptomyces sp., was previously reported with antibacterial and anticancer activities. However, the antitumor activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of 1 remain to be elucidated. Compound 1 inhibited the proliferation and tumor growth of HCT116 human colorectal cancer cells based on both in vitro cell cultures and an in vivo animal model. A cDNA microarray analysis revealed that 1 downregulated genes involved in cell cycle checkpoint control. Compound 1 also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest that was mediated by the regulation of S-phase kinase-associated protein 2 (Skp2)-p27 axis and minichromosome maintenance protein 4 (MCM4). Furthermore, a longer exposure of 1 exhibited an accumulation of a sub-G1 phase cell population, which is characteristic of apoptotic cells. The induction of apoptosis by 1 was also associated with the modulation of caspase family proteins. Compound 1 effectively suppressed tumor growth in a xenograft mouse model subcutaneously implanted with HCT116 cells. In addition, analysis of tumors revealed that 1 upregulated the expression of the CDK inhibitor p27 but downregulated the expression of Skp2 and MCM4. These findings demonstrate the involvement of 1 in cell cycle regulation and the induction of apoptosis in human colorectal cancer cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / genetics
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27 / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 4 / genetics
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 4 / metabolism*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Peptides, Cyclic / chemistry
  • Peptides, Cyclic / metabolism
  • Peptides, Cyclic / pharmacology*
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins / chemistry
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins / genetics
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins / metabolism*
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • S-Phase Kinase-Associated Proteins
  • ohmyungsamycin A
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27
  • MCM4 protein, human
  • Minichromosome Maintenance Complex Component 4