Marchantin C, a novel microtubule inhibitor from liverwort with anti-tumor activity both in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract

Microtubules are long-standing targets in cancer chemotherapy. Previously, we reported that marchantin C triggers apoptosis of human tumor cells. We show here that marchantin C induced cell cycle arrest at G(2)/M phase in A172 and HeLa cells. In addition, marchantin C decreased the quantity of microtubules in a time- and dose-dependent manner in these cells. Exposure of purified bovine brain tubulin to marchantin C inhibited polymerization of gross tubulin in vitro. Moreover, marchantin C potently suppressed the growth of human cervical carcinoma xenografts in nude mice. Marchantin C-treated xenografts showed decreased microtubules, Bcl-2 and increased cyclin B1, Bax, caspase-3, indicating that marchantin C possess the same ability to induce microtubules depolymerization and tumor cell apoptosis in tumor-bearing mice as in vitro. In conclusion, marchantin C is a novel microtubule inhibitor that induces mitotic arrest of tumor cells and suppresses tumor cell growth, exhibiting promising antitumor therapeutic potential.

• Authors: Yan-qiu Shi, Chang-jun Zhu, Hui-qing Yuan, Bo-qin Li, Jie Gao, Xian-jun Qu, Bin Sun, Yan-na Cheng, Song Li, Xia Li, Hong-Xiang Lou
• Journal: Cancer letters (Cancer Lett) Vol. 276 Issue 2 Pg. 160-70 (Apr 18 2009) ISSN: 1872-7980 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 19095349 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
• Bibenzyls
• Catechols
• Ethers, Cyclic
• Phenyl Ethers
• marchantin C

Topics

• Animals
• Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic (pharmacology)
• Bibenzyls (pharmacology)
• Catechols (pharmacology)
• Cell Division (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Ethers, Cyclic (pharmacology)
• Female
• G2 Phase (drug effects)
• Humans
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Microtubules (drug effects, metabolism)
• Phenyl Ethers (pharmacology)
• Uterine Cervical Neoplasms (drug therapy)
• Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays