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Updated: May 20, 2026

Using Mouse Mammary Tumor Cells to Teach Core Biology Concepts: A Simple Lab Module
Published on: June 18, 2015
Demethoxycurcumin modulates prostate cancer cell proliferation via AMPK-induced down-regulation of HSP70 and EGFR
Chao-Ming Hung1, Yun-Hsuan Su, Hui-Yi Lin
1Department of General Surgery, E-Da Hospital, I-Shou University , Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Curcumin (Cur), demethoxycurcumin (DMC), and bisdemethoxycurcumin (BDMC) are major forms of curcuminoids found in the rhizomes of turmeric. This study examined the effects of three curcuminoid analogues on prostate cancer cells. The results revealed that DMC demonstrated the most efficient cytotoxic effects on prostate cancer PC3 cells. DMC activated AMPK and in turn decreased the activity and/or expression of lipogenic enzymes, such as fatty acid synthase (FASN) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). AICAR, an AMPK activator, and DMC down-regulated heat shock protein (HSP) 70 and increased the activity of the pro-apoptotic effector, caspase-3. In addition, DMC sustained epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) activation by suppressing the phosphatases PP2a and SHP-2. DMC also increased the interaction between EGFR and Cbl and induced the tyrosine phosphorylation of Cbl. The results suggest that DMC may have antitumor effects on prostate cancer cells via AMPK-induced down-regulation of HSP70 and EGFR.
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