Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Transcriptomic alterations in human prostate cancer cell LNCaP tumor xenograft modulated by dietary phenethyl
Robert W Li1, CongJun Li, Thomas T Y Wang
1U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Bovine Functional Genomics Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA.
Abstract:
Temporal growth of tumor xenografts in mice on a control diet was compared to mice supplemented daily with 3 µmol/g of the cancer preventive compound phenethyl isothiocyanate. Phenethyl isothiocyanate decreased the rate of tumor growth. The effects of phenethyl isothiocyanate on tumor growth were examined by RNAseq to elucidate molecular changes that may contribute to tumor growth suppression. Bio-informatic analysis of differentially expressed genes identified changes in inflammation and extracellular matrix pathways that were modulated by treatment with phenethyl isothiocyanate. Specific gene expression changes in these pathways included up-regulation of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3, fibronectin, thyroxine degradation enzyme, and down regulation of integrin beta 6. In addition, feeding phenethyl isothiocyanate induced alternative splicing of gene variants. This study represents the first use of RNAseq to analyze tumors from animals consuming dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate and to identify potential molecular signatures that may explain the cancer protective effect of this compound.
Insights
Phenethyl isothiocyanate, a cancer preventive compound, significantly reduced tumor growth in mice. RNA sequencing revealed key molecular changes in inflammation and extracellular matrix pathways contributing to this protective effect.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Bioinformatics
Background:
- Dietary compounds are investigated for cancer prevention.
- Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is a potential cancer preventive agent.
- Understanding PEITC's molecular mechanisms in vivo is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate on tumor xenograft growth in mice.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying PEITC's tumor growth suppression using RNA sequencing.
- To identify potential molecular signatures associated with PEITC's cancer-protective effects.
Main Methods:
- Tumor xenografts were grown in mice fed a control diet or a diet supplemented with phenethyl isothiocyanate.
- RNA sequencing (RNAseq) was employed to analyze gene expression changes in tumors.
- Bioinformatic analysis was performed on differentially expressed genes to identify affected pathways.
Main Results:
- Phenethyl isothiocyanate significantly decreased the rate of tumor xenograft growth.
- RNAseq analysis revealed modulation of inflammation and extracellular matrix pathways.
- Key gene expression changes included upregulation of IGFBP3, fibronectin, and thyroxine degradation enzyme, and downregulation of integrin beta 6.
- Phenethyl isothiocyanate also induced alternative splicing of gene variants.
Conclusions:
- Dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate demonstrates tumor growth-suppressive effects in a mouse xenograft model.
- Molecular changes in inflammation, extracellular matrix, and alternative splicing pathways are associated with PEITC's cancer-protective action.
- This study provides the first RNAseq-based molecular insights into the in vivo effects of dietary phenethyl isothiocyanate.
