Rhapontigenin suppresses cell migration and invasion by inhibiting the PI3K-dependent Rac1 signaling pathway in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells

J Nat Prod. 2014 May 23;77(5):1135-9. doi: 10.1021/np401078g. Epub 2014 May 14.

Abstract

The invasive behavior of cancer cells resulting in metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related deaths. Rhapontigenin (1) has various biological activities including anticancer activities. However, whether and how 1 affects cancer invasion has never been explored. Here, we examined the anti-invasive effects of 1 and its underlying molecular mechanisms in the highly invasive human breast cancer cell line designated MDA-MB-231. At noncytotoxic concentrations, 1 strongly suppressed serum-induced cell migration and invasion as judged by Boyden chamber analysis and wound-healing assays, respectively. Compound 1 strikingly reduced Rac1 activity as judged by both absorbance-based and pull-down assays. In addition, its downstream effectors such as WASP-family verprolin homologous proteins 2 (WAVE-2) and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1) signaling cascades were attenuated after treatment with 1. Immunofluorescence staining showed that 1 diminished lamellipodia formation at the leading edge of cells. Finally, 1 decreased the phosphorylation of phosphoinisitide-3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT. Rac1 activity was inhibited by the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin. Taken together, these results suggest that 1 suppresses breast cancer cell migration and invasion, which is involved in inhibiting the PI3K-dependent Rac1 signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androstadienes / pharmacology
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction
  • Stilbenes / chemistry
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects
  • Wortmannin

Substances

  • Androstadienes
  • Phosphoinositide-3 Kinase Inhibitors
  • Stilbenes
  • rhapontigenin
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt
  • Wortmannin