Related Experiment Videos

Suramin inhibits vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) binding and VIP-induced cAMP accumulation into two human

C Bellan1, P Pic, J Marvaldi

  • 1Institut de Chimie Biologique, CNRS URA 202, Université D'Aix-Marseille I, France.

Second Messengers and Phosphoproteins
|January 1, 1991
PubMed

Insights

The antihelminthic drug suramin inhibits vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) binding to cancer cells and blocks VIP-induced cAMP accumulation. This suggests suramin

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell Signaling

Background:

  • Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) plays a role in cell proliferation and survival.
  • Cancer cells express VIP receptors, making them potential targets for VIP-related therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of the antihelminthic drug suramin on VIP binding and signaling in human cancer cell lines.
  • To determine if suramin interferes with VIP-induced cellular responses.

Main Methods:

  • Experiments were conducted using two human cancer cell lines: HT 29-D4 (colic adenocarcinoma) and IGR 39 (superficial melanoma).
  • Monoradioiodinated VIP (125I-VIP) binding assays were performed to assess suramin's inhibitory effects.
  • Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation assays were used to measure VIP-induced signaling.
  • The effects of suramin on isoproterenol-induced cAMP accumulation and basal cAMP levels were also evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Suramin inhibited 125I-VIP binding to both cell lines with an IC50 of 280 µg/ml.
  • Suramin did not displace pre-bound 125I-VIP or affect VIP receptor molecular weight.
  • Suramin significantly inhibited VIP-induced cAMP accumulation (56-99%) in a dose- and cell-dependent manner.
  • Suramin had no effect on isoproterenol-induced cAMP accumulation or basal cAMP levels.

Conclusions:

  • Suramin interferes with VIP binding to cancer cells and inhibits VIP-mediated cAMP signaling.
  • These findings suggest a potential mechanism for suramin's observed effects on cancer cell proliferation and survival.
  • Suramin's specific inhibition of VIP signaling warrants further investigation in cancer therapy.

Related Concept Videos