Dykellic acid inhibits cell migration and tube formation by RhoA-GTP expression

Dykellic acid, a novel factor initially identified from the culture broth of Westerdykella multispora F50733, has been shown to inhibit matrix metalloprotease 9 activity, caspase-3 activity, B cell proliferation and LPS-induced IgM production, suggesting that this factor may have anti-cancer effects. In an effort to further address the possible anti-tumoral effects of dykellic acid, we used wound healing, invasion and RhoA-GTP assays to examine the effects of dykellic acid on cell migration, invasion and angiogenesis. Our results revealed that dykellic acid dose-dependently inhibits B16 cell migration and motility, and inhibits HUVEC tube formation. Western blot analysis of the active form of RhoA (RhoA-GTP) showed that dykellic acid treatment decreased the levels of RhoA-GTP. These findings collectively suggest that dykellic acid may have both anti-metastatic and anti-angiogenic acitivites, and provides the first evidence for the involvement of RhoA in dykellic acid-induced effects.