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Cucurbitacin E inhibits esophageal carcinoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by suppressing Rac1

Luquan Zhang1, Hao Liang, Yanzhong Xin

  • 1Esophageal Mediastinal Division of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.

Anti-Cancer Drugs
|June 23, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Cucurbitacin E inhibits esophageal carcinoma cell growth by reducing Rac1 expression, thereby blocking the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. This study reveals a novel mechanism for Cucurbitacin E

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Esophageal carcinoma is a significant global health concern.
  • Cucurbitacin E (CuE) shows potential antitumor activity, but its mechanism in esophageal cancer is unclear.
  • Rac1's role in esophageal carcinoma progression needs further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of Cucurbitacin E (CuE) on human esophageal carcinoma cells.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanism of CuE's anticarcinoma activity, focusing on Rac1 and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Main Methods:

  • Human esophageal carcinoma cell lines (ECA109, EC9706) and normal cells (Het-1A) were used.
  • Rac1 expression was manipulated via sh-Rac1 and pCDNA3.1-Rac1 transfection.
  • Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were assessed using MTT, EDU, scratch, and Transwell assays.
  • Western blotting analyzed the phosphorylation of AKT and mTOR.

Main Results:

  • Rac1 was highly expressed in esophageal carcinoma cells and promoted their proliferation, migration, and invasion.
  • CuE treatment decreased Rac1 expression, suppressed cell viability, and reduced AKT/mTOR phosphorylation.
  • Overexpression of Rac1 counteracted CuE's inhibitory effects.

Conclusions:

  • Cucurbitacin E inhibits esophageal carcinoma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration.
  • CuE exerts its effects by downregulating Rac1, consequently blocking the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/AKT/mTOR pathway.
  • Rac1 is a key mediator of CuE's anticarcinoma activity in esophageal cancer.

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