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Ergosterol peroxide isolated from Ganoderma lucidum abolishes microRNA miR-378-mediated tumor cells on

Qing-Ping Wu1, Yi-Zhen Xie, Zhaoqun Deng

  • 1State Key Laboratory of Applied Microbiology in South China (Ministry-Guangdong Province Jointly Breeding Base), and Guangdong Institute of Microbiology, Guangzhou, China.

Plos One
|September 7, 2012
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs like miR-378 can cause aggressive cancer cells to resist chemotherapy. However, ergosterol peroxide from Ganoderma lucidum effectively overcomes this drug resistance, offering a potential new cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Aggressive cancer cells often develop resistance to chemotherapy due to altered oncogene and tumor suppressor expression, leading to recurrence.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs), regulators of cell renewal and cancer, are implicated in cancer development and drug resistance.
  • Tumor cells transfected with miR-378 exhibited characteristics of aggressive cancer cells, including enhanced survival and colony formation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miR-378 in conferring chemoresistance to cancer cells.
  • To identify compounds capable of overcoming miR-378-induced drug resistance.
  • To evaluate the potential of Ganoderma lucidum components as therapeutic agents against drug-resistant cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of tumor cells with miR-378 mimic.
  • Assessment of cell survival, colony formation, and response to chemotherapeutic agents in miR-378-transfected cells.
  • Isolation, purification, and identification of active compounds from Ganoderma lucidum.
  • Testing the efficacy of isolated compounds in overcoming miR-378-mediated drug resistance.

Main Results:

  • Overexpression of miR-378 significantly enhanced cancer cell survival, colony formation, and acquired multiple drug resistance.
  • Higher concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs were required to induce cell death in miR-378-transfected cells compared to controls.
  • Ergosterol peroxide, isolated from Ganoderma lucidum, effectively overcame miR-378-induced drug resistance.
  • Lower concentrations of ergosterol peroxide were needed to induce death in miR-378-transfected cells than in control cells.

Conclusions:

  • miR-378 plays a crucial role in promoting aggressive cancer cell phenotypes and conferring resistance to chemotherapy.
  • Ergosterol peroxide from Ganoderma lucidum demonstrates significant potential in overcoming miRNA-mediated drug resistance in cancer.
  • Ergosterol peroxide represents a promising therapeutic candidate for clinical development to combat chemoresistant tumors.

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