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Updated: May 23, 2026
An Orthotopic Murine Model of Human Prostate Cancer Metastasis
Published on: September 18, 2013
Anti-proliferation Effect of Polypeptide Extracted from Scorpion Venom on Human Prostate Cancer Cells in vitro
Yue Ying Zhang1, Li Cun Wu, Zhao Peng Wang
1Key laboratory for Modern Medicine and Technology of Shandong Province, Institute of Basic Medicine, Shandong Academy of Medical Science, Jinan, China;
Background:
Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related death in men. Therefore there has been considerable interest to explore neoadjuvant therapy. Polypeptide extracted from scorpion venom (PESV), originally obtained from the East-Asian scorpion Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK), is being studied for both prevention and treatment of various human malignancies including prostate cancer.
Methods:
The present study was to investigate the effect of PESV on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis in human androgen-independent prostate cancer cells DU-145 in vitro.
Results:
PESV treatment on these cells resulted in a significantly dose-dependent growth inhibition with a G1 phase arrest at 40μg/mL after 48h treatment. PESV treatment strongly induced expression of p27 (Kip1), but resulted in a decrease in cyclin E, one of cyclins involved in G1 progression. In other studies, PESV treatment also induced high apoptosis index (AI), confirmed by TdTmediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Further, the apoptosis induction by PESV (40μg/mL) in DU145 cells was associated with an increase of pro-apoptotic protein Bax.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that PESV modulates the expression of cell cycle-related and apoptosis-related proteins and induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of DU145 cells, providing a strong rationale for future studies to evaluate prevention or/and intervention strategies for PESV in pre-clinical prostate cancer models.
Keywords:
Prostate cancer, PESV, cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis.
Insights
Polypeptide extracted from scorpion venom (PESV) inhibits prostate cancer cell growth by arresting the cell cycle and inducing apoptosis. PESV shows promise for future prostate cancer prevention and intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death in men.
- Neoadjuvant therapy is of significant interest for prostate cancer treatment.
- Polypeptide extracted from scorpion venom (PESV) from Buthus martensi Karsch (BmK) is under investigation for cancer prevention and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of PESV on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis in human androgen-independent prostate cancer cells (DU-145) in vitro.
Main Methods:
- DU-145 cells were treated with varying concentrations of PESV.
- Cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution were analyzed.
- Apoptosis was assessed using TUNEL assay and by examining protein expression (p27, cyclin E, Bax).
Main Results:
- PESV demonstrated dose-dependent growth inhibition of DU-145 cells.
- A significant G1 phase cell cycle arrest was observed at 40μg/mL after 48 hours.
- PESV treatment increased p27 (Kip1) expression, decreased cyclin E, and induced apoptosis, evidenced by increased Bax protein levels.
Conclusions:
- PESV effectively inhibits DU-145 prostate cancer cell growth and induces apoptosis.
- PESV modulates key cell cycle and apoptosis-related proteins.
- These findings support further research into PESV for pre-clinical prostate cancer models.
