A Ribonuclease Isolated from Wild Ganoderma Lucidum Suppressed Autophagy and Triggered Apoptosis in Colorectal Cancer...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• Oncology

Background:

• Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) has a long history of medicinal use in China.
• Modern research is actively investigating its bioactive compounds and their health benefits.
• Colorectal cancer remains a significant global health challenge requiring new therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To isolate and characterize a protein from G. lucidum with anti-colorectal cancer activity.
• To investigate the anti-proliferative and apoptotic mechanisms of this protein on colorectal cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and purification of Ganoderma lucidum ribonuclease (GLR) using liquid chromatography.
• Assessment of anti-proliferative and anti-colony formation activities on HT29 and HCT116 colorectal cancer cell lines.
• Analysis of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis pathways (including unfolded protein response and caspase-9), and autophagy suppression.

Main Results:

• A 17.4-kDa ribonuclease (GLR) was isolated from G. lucidum.
• GLR exhibited significant anti-proliferative and anti-colony formation effects on colorectal cancer cells.
• GLR induced G1 phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, with distinct mechanisms in HT29 and HCT116 cells.
• GLR suppressed autophagy in HCT116 cells more effectively than in HT29 cells.

Conclusions:

• The isolated Ganoderma lucidum ribonuclease (GLR) possesses potent anti-colorectal cancer properties.
• GLR's anti-cancer effects involve cell cycle arrest, apoptosis induction, and autophagy modulation.
• This RNase may be a key bioactive component contributing to the anti-colorectal cancer efficacy of G. lucidum.