AM251 induces apoptosis and G2/M cell cycle arrest in A375 human melanoma cells

Anticancer Drugs. 2015 Aug;26(7):754-62. doi: 10.1097/CAD.0000000000000246.

Abstract

Human cutaneous melanoma is an aggressive and chemotherapy-resistant type of cancer. AM251 is a cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor antagonist/inverse agonist with off-target antitumor activity against pancreatic and colon cancer cells. The current study aimed to characterize the in-vitro antimelanoma activity of AM251. The BRAF V600E mutant melanoma cell line, A375, was used as an in-vitro model system. Characterization tools included a cell viability assay, nuclear morphology assessment, gene expression, western blot, flow cytometry with Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD double staining, cell cycle analyses, and measurements of changes in intracellular cAMP and calcium concentrations. AM251 exerted a marked cytotoxic effect against A375 human melanoma cells with potency comparable with that observed for cisplatin without significant changes in the human dermal fibroblasts viability. AM251, at a concentration that approximates the IC50, downregulated genes encoding antiapoptotic proteins (BCL2 and survivin) and increased transcription levels of proapoptotic BAX, induced alteration of Annexin V reactivity, DNA fragmentation, chromatin condensation in the cell nuclei, and G2/M phase arrest.AM251 also induced a 40% increase in the basal cAMP levels, but it did not affect intracellular calcium concentrations. The involvement of GPR55, TRPA1, and COX-2 in the AM251 mechanism of action was excluded. The combination of AM251 with celecoxib produced a synergistic antitumor activity, although the mechanism underlying this effect remains to be elucidated. This study provides the first evidence of a proapoptotic effect and G2/M cell cycle arrest of AM251 on A375 cells. This compound may be a potential prototype for the development of promising diarylpyrazole derivatives to be evaluated in human cutaneous melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism
  • Celecoxib
  • Cell Line, Tumor / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 / metabolism
  • Drug Inverse Agonism
  • Drug Synergism
  • G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / pathology*
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Piperidines / pharmacology*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology
  • TRPA1 Cation Channel
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Calcium Channels
  • GPR55 protein, human
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrazoles
  • Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Sulfonamides
  • TRPA1 Cation Channel
  • TRPA1 protein, human
  • Transient Receptor Potential Channels
  • AM 251
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Celecoxib