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Published on: February 27, 2020
Effects of an E-cadherin-derived peptide on the gene expression of Caco-2 cells
Anna Maria Calcagno1, Jennifer M Fostel, Eric L Reyner
1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, USA. calcagnoa@mail.nih.gov
Purpose:
The goal of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to an HAV peptide (Ac-SHAVSS-NH2) on the protein and gene expression in Caco-2 cells, a model for the intestinal mucosa.
Methods:
Caco-2 cells were incubated with either 100 or 500 microM of the hexapeptide then evaluated over a 48-h time period.
Results:
Cell detachment from the monolayer was seen only after 48 h of exposure to the peptide, with the greatest effects occurring with a peptide concentration of 500 microM. Total protein expression of E-cadherin showed a decrease of nearly 20% at the 24-h time point for each concentration examined, whereas no significant changes were detected at the other time points studied. Short term exposure to a 500 microM solution of Ac-SHAVSS-NH2 caused few changes in gene expression as determined by Affymetrix GeneChip microarrays; however, longer exposure periods produced numerous changes in the treated cells. The variations in mRNA expression indicate that this HAV peptide has an effect in the E-cadherin signaling pathways. The greatest increases in mRNA expression were found in genes regulating excretion or degradation of the peptide.
Conclusions:
This work suggests that this HAV peptide produces effects that reach beyond modulation of adhesion.
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