SZ-685C inhibits the growth of non-functioning pituitary adenoma by down-regulating miR-340-3p and inducing autophagy

SZ-685C, an anthracycline compound derived from the mangrove endophytic fungus Halorosellinia sp. (No. 1403) collected from the South China Sea, has shown strong anticancer activities. Non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) are a type of tumor that can be challenging to manage clinically and have a significant unmet medical need. Our research has found that SZ-685C showed an inhibitory effect on the viability, migration ability, and proliferation ability of a human non-functioning pituitary tumor-derived folliculostellate (PDFS) cell line.

SZ-685C was prepared and purified from the mangrove endophytic fungus No. 1403. PDFS cells were exposed to SZ-685C, and the effect of SZ-685C on PDFS cells was evaluated. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the miRNA expression profile in PDFS cells of the control group and SZ-685C-treated group. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was performed to verify the expression of selected miR-340-3p. The effects of SZ-685C on PDFS cells after overexpression of miR-340-3p were evaluated. Dual-luciferase reporter assays showed PPP1CB is a direct target of miR-340-3p. Finally, the action pathway of the selected miR-340-3p was predicted and evaluated through bioinformatics analysis.

SZ-685C reduced cell viability in PDFS cells, accompanied by inhibition of migration ability and proliferation ability. The IC50 value for 24 h is 9.144 ± 0.991 μM, and for 48 h is 4.635 ± 0.551 μM. SZ-685C increased the protein levels of Beclin 1, the ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I, and LAMP-1, and down-regulated p62. MiRNA sequencing and further validation showed that miR-340-3p significantly decreased in PDFS cells treated with SZ-685C. After overexpression of miR-340-3p, the inhibition of viability, migration ability, proliferation ability, and autophagy-promoting effect of SZ-685C on PDFS cells were weakened. SZ-685C caused a decrease in PPP1CB expression and activation of the ERK pathway in PDFS cells, and this trend was reversed after overexpression of miR-340-3p.

SZ-685C downregulates the expression of miR-340-3p in PDFS cells, thereby reducing the expression of PPP1CB and activating the ERK pathway to promote autophagic cell death, leading to inhibition of PDFS cell growth.