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Published on: October 10, 2017
Curcumin Inhibits Protease Activated Receptor 2-Induced ERK Phosphorylation Calcium Mobilization and Anti-Apoptotic
Rajashree Patnaik1, Riah Varghese1, Ahad Al-Kabani1
1College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), Dubai Health, Dubai 505055, United Arab Emirates.
Curcumin effectively targets the PAR-2 signaling pathway, downregulating key inflammatory and anti-apoptotic markers in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. This study validates curcumin as a potential therapeutic agent for inflammation-driven CRC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chronic inflammation is a key driver of colorectal cancer (CRC) progression.
- Protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) links inflammation to tumor promotion via signaling pathways like ERK1/2 and TNF-α.
- Curcumin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, but its impact on PAR-2 in CRC is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate curcumin's modulation of PAR-2 expression and downstream signaling in inflammation-induced CRC cells.
- To explore the direct structural interaction between curcumin and PAR-2.
Main Methods:
- CRC cell lines (HT-29, Caco-2) were inflamed with LPS and treated with curcumin.
- PAR-2, PAR-1, ERK1/2, TNF-α, and apoptosis markers were analyzed via Western blot and qPCR.
- Calcium signaling, apoptosis assays, and molecular docking of curcumin with PAR-2 were performed.
Main Results:
- Curcumin dose-dependently downregulated PAR-2 (mRNA and protein), suppressed ERK phosphorylation and calcium signaling.
- Curcumin inhibited TNF-α secretion and reversed the anti-apoptotic axis (Bcl-2↓, Bax/caspase-3/8↑).
- Molecular docking indicated high-affinity binding of curcumin to PAR-2's transmembrane domain.
Conclusions:
- Curcumin targets the PAR-2/ERK/TNF-α axis in inflammation-driven CRC.
- Curcumin reactivates apoptotic pathways, demonstrating potential for therapeutic repurposing in CRC.
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