Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen
19:44

Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

Published on: May 30, 2012

18.7K

ΔM4: Membrane-Active Peptide with Antitumoral Potential against Human Skin Cancer Cells

Estefanía Fandiño-Devia1, Gloria A Santa-González2, Maria C Klaiss-Luna1

  • 1Chemistry Institute, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences, University of Antioquia, A.A. 1226, Medellin 050010, Colombia.

Membranes
|July 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The peptide ΔM4 selectively targets cancer cells, showing five times greater activity against melanoma and epidermoid carcinoma cell lines than non-tumoral cells. It disrupts cancer cell membranes and induces phosphatidylserine translocation, indicating its potential as a cancer-targeting agent.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Peptides are promising agents for cancer therapy due to their selective affinity for cancer cells.
  • Understanding peptide interactions with cell membranes is crucial for developing targeted cancer treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the biological activity and mechanism of action of the peptide ΔM4 against melanoma (A375) and epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cell lines.
  • To compare the effects of ΔM4 on cancer cells versus non-tumoral HaCaT cells.
  • To investigate the membrane-disrupting and cell-death-inducing properties of ΔM4.

Main Methods:

  • Cytotoxicity was assessed using MTT assays.
  • Membrane integrity was evaluated via lactate dehydrogenase release and Sytox uptake assays.
  • Peptide-membrane interactions were studied using infrared spectroscopy.
  • Phosphatidylserine translocation was determined by flow cytometry using annexin V-PE conjugate.

Main Results:

  • ΔM4 exhibited fivefold higher cytotoxicity against A375 and A431 cancer cells compared to HaCaT cells.
  • ΔM4 demonstrated significant membrane activity and increased permeability in cancer cells, particularly A431 at 12.5 µM.
  • Infrared spectroscopy revealed that ΔM4 fluidizes tumoral lipid systems at >5% molar concentration.
  • Flow cytometry indicated that 12.5 µM of ΔM4 induces phosphatidylserine translocation in A375 and A431 cells.

Conclusions:

  • The peptide ΔM4 displays selective cytotoxicity towards cancer cells.
  • ΔM4 exerts its anti-cancer effects through membrane disruption and induction of apoptosis-related phosphatidylserine translocation.
  • These findings support the potential of ΔM4 as a targeted therapeutic agent for melanoma and epidermoid carcinoma.
Keywords:
antitumoral peptidesepidermoid carcinomamelanomamembrane-acting peptidesmembrane–peptide interactionsskin cancer

More Related Videos

MAME Models for 4D Live-cell Imaging of Tumor: Microenvironment Interactions that Impact Malignant Progression08:26

MAME Models for 4D Live-cell Imaging of Tumor: Microenvironment Interactions that Impact Malignant Progression

Published on: February 17, 2012

14.6K
Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate DMBA-TPA04:12

Chemical-Induced Skin Carcinogenesis Model Using Dimethylbenz[a]Anthracene and 12-O-Tetradecanoyl Phorbol-13-Acetate DMBA-TPA

Published on: December 19, 2019

14.4K

Related Concept Videos

Cancer02:18

Cancer

Cancers arise due to mutations in genes involved in the regulation of cell division, which leads to unrestricted cell proliferation. Modern science and medicine have made great strides in the understanding and treatment of cancer, including eradicating cancer in some patients. However, there is still no cure for cancer. This is largely due to the fact that cancer is a large group of many diseases.
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle02:38

Mitogens and the Cell Cycle

Mitogens and their receptors play a crucial role in controlling the progression of the cell cycle. However, the loss of mitogenic control over cell division leads to tumor formation. Therefore, mitogens and mitogen receptors play an important role in cancer research. For instance, the epidermal growth factor (EGF) - a type of mitogen and its transmembrane receptor (EGFR), decides the fate of the cell's proliferation. When EGF binds to EGFR, a member of the ErbB family of tyrosine kinase...
Abnormal Proliferation02:23

Abnormal Proliferation

Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
The Tumor Microenvironment02:17

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Tumor Immunotherapy01:27

Tumor Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.