Sesamol is effective against
melanoma cells with less damage to normal cells. The underlying selective cytotoxicity of
sesamol in
melanoma vs. non-cancerous cells is undefined.
Melanoma cells differ from normal cells by over-expression of the L-type
amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1). We sought to clarify the transport mechanism on selective cytotoxicity of
sesamol in
melanoma cells. A human
melanoma cell line (SK-MEL-2) and African monkey epithelial cell line (Vero) were used to study the cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of
sesamol. The intracellular concentration of
sesamol was quantified by UV-HPLC. The cytotoxicity was determined by
neutral red uptake assay.
Sesamol showed a higher distribution volume and uptake clearance in SK-MEL-2 than Vero cells.
Sesamol was distributed by both carrier-mediated and passive transport by having greater carrier-mediated transport into SK-MEL-2 cells than Vero cells. Higher
mRNA expression and function of LAT1 over LAT2 were evident in SK-MEL-2 cells compared to Vero cells.
Sesamol uptake and
sesamol cytotoxicity were inhibited by the LAT1 inhibitor, suggesting LAT1 had a role in
sesamol transport and its bioactivity in
melanoma. The LAT1-mediated transport of
sesamol is indicative of how it engages cytotoxicity in
melanoma cells with promising therapeutic benefits.