Extracellular Guanosine and Guanine Nucleotides Decrease Viability of Human Breast Cancer SKBR-3 Cells

Ai Hotani1, Kazuki Kitabatake1, Mitsutoshi Tsukimoto1

  • 1Department of Radiation Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science.

PubMed

Insights

Extracellular guanosine and guanine nucleotides reduce breast cancer cell viability and proliferation. Guanosine and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) induce apoptosis through distinct mechanisms, impacting reactive oxygen species and cell cycle progression.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Adenosine and adenine nucleotides' effects on cancer purinergic receptors are known.
  • The impact of extracellular guanosine and guanine nucleotides on breast cancer cells is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of extracellular guanosine and guanine nucleotides on human breast cancer SKBR-3 cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which these compounds affect cancer cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • Treatment of SKBR-3 cells with guanosine and guanine nucleotides.
  • Assessment of cell viability, proliferation, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and cell cycle modification.
  • Evaluation of the effects of adenosine, dipyridamole (ENT 1/2 inhibitor), and adenosine receptor agonists/antagonists on nucleotide-induced cell death.

Main Results:

  • Extracellular guanosine and guanine nucleotides decreased SKBR-3 cell viability and proliferation.
  • Nucleotide treatment increased mitochondrial ROS production and altered the cell cycle.
  • Guanosine-induced cell death was inhibited by adenosine and dipyridamole, suggesting ENT1/2 inhibition, but not by adenosine receptor modulators.
  • GTP-induced cell death was suppressed by adenosine, dipyridamole, and the A1 receptor agonist CCPA, indicating partial mediation via adenosine A1 receptor antagonism.

Conclusions:

  • Both guanosine and GTP induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
  • Guanosine and GTP appear to trigger apoptosis through at least partially different molecular mechanisms.
  • Guanosine may inhibit adenosine uptake via ENT1/2, while GTP's effects involve partial antagonism of the adenosine A1 receptor.

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