Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 4, 2025
Chemical Inactivation of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Cereblon by Pomalidomide-based Homo-PROTACs
Published on: May 15, 2019
Beta-Elemene Reduces the Malignancy of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer by Enhancing C3orf21 Expression
Hu Cai1, Lili Ren1, Ying Wang2
1Department of Integration of Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Cancer Hospital of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Zhejiang Cancer Hospital), Institute of Basic Medicine and Cancer (IBMC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
Beta-elemene has potent anti-tumor effect, but its anti-tumor mechanism remains unclear. Chromosome 3 open reading frame 21 (C3orf21) acts as a tumor suppressor. This study tested whether the anti-tumor effect of beta-elemene was associated with modulating C3orf21 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials And Methods:
The impact of beta-elemene on C3orf21 expression in NSCLC cells was quantified. The stable C3orf21 silencing A549 and over-expressing PC-9 cells were established and their effects on the beta-elemene-attenuated proliferation, wound healing and invasion of NSCLC cells as well as the expression of key regulators and signal events were determined.
Results:
Beta-elemene significantly up-regulated C3orf21 expression in NSCLC cells. Beta-elemene treatment significantly attenuated the proliferation, wound healing and invasion of NSCLC cells, which were significantly mitigated by C3orf21 silencing, but enhanced by C3orf21 over-expression. Similar patterns of beta-elemene-modulated cyclinD1, c-Myc, COX2, MMP2, MMP9, VEGF, PTEN and Notch1 expression were detected in NSCLC cells.
Conclusions:
Such data indicated that beta-elemene treatment attenuated the malignancy of NSCLC cells by up-regulating C3orf21 expression. Our findings may provide new mechanisms underlying the pharmacological action of beta-elemene.
Insights
Beta-elemene, a natural compound, combats non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by increasing the expression of the tumor suppressor Chromosome 3 open reading frame 21 (C3orf21). This mechanism inhibits cancer cell growth and spread.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Beta-elemene exhibits significant anti-tumor properties, yet its precise mechanism of action is not fully elucidated.
- Chromosome 3 open reading frame 21 (C3orf21) is recognized for its role as a tumor suppressor.
- The study investigates the potential link between beta-elemene's anti-cancer effects and its influence on C3orf21 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if beta-elemene modulates C3orf21 expression in NSCLC.
- To elucidate the role of C3orf21 in mediating the anti-tumor effects of beta-elemene in NSCLC.
Main Methods:
- Quantified the effect of beta-elemene on C3orf21 expression in NSCLC cell lines.
- Established NSCLC cell lines with stable C3orf21 silencing and overexpression.
- Assessed the impact of these genetic modifications on beta-elemene's effects on cell proliferation, wound healing, and invasion.
Main Results:
- Beta-elemene significantly increased C3orf21 expression in NSCLC cells.
- Beta-elemene suppressed NSCLC cell proliferation, wound healing, and invasion.
- The anti-proliferative and anti-invasive effects of beta-elemene were diminished by C3orf21 silencing and enhanced by C3orf21 overexpression.
- Beta-elemene modulated the expression of key regulators including cyclinD1, c-Myc, COX2, MMP2, MMP9, VEGF, PTEN, and Notch1.
Conclusions:
- Beta-elemene exerts its anti-cancer effects in NSCLC by up-regulating C3orf21 expression.
- These findings reveal a novel mechanism for beta-elemene's pharmacological activity, highlighting C3orf21 as a key mediator.
Related Concept Videos
02:38Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression