Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 17, 2026
11:13
Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment
Published on: June 9, 2023
2.6K
Isoguanosine exerts anticancer effects in Huh-7 cells by modulating ROS-dependent MAPK and AKT signaling
An-Qi Wang1, Xiao-Yu Jin2, Ying-Hua Luo3
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China.
Neoplasma
|April 16, 2026
Summary
Isoguanosine (ISO) effectively inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells by inducing apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and reducing migration. This natural compound shows promise as an anticancer agent by targeting key signaling pathways.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
- Oncology
Background:
- Isoguanosine (ISO) is a naturally occurring bioactive compound with known pharmacological activities.
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a significant global health challenge, necessitating novel therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of natural compounds like ISO is crucial for developing new anticancer agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inhibitory effects of Isoguanosine (ISO) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of ISO's action on HCC cells.
- To evaluate the potential of ISO as an anticancer therapeutic agent.
Main Methods:
- Cell viability assays (CCK-8, trypan blue, Hoechst 33342/PI staining).
- Network pharmacology and molecular docking for target prediction.
- Apoptosis assays (Annexin V-FITC/PI, flow cytometry, western blotting).
- Cell cycle analysis (Ki-67 staining, flow cytometry, western blotting).
- Cell migration assays (wound healing, Transwell, western blotting).
- Investigation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and AKT signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- ISO demonstrated significant cytotoxic effects on HCC cell lines.
- Network pharmacology identified ROS, AKT, and MAPK pathways as key targets; molecular docking showed strong binding affinity for AKT1, CASP3, and GSK3B.
- ISO induced apoptosis via the mitochondria-dependent pathway and modulated MAPK and STAT3 signaling.
- ISO caused G2/M phase cell cycle arrest by increasing intracellular ROS levels.
- ISO inhibited cell migration by regulating the AKT signaling pathway.
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) pretreatment reversed ISO-induced apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and migration inhibition.
Conclusions:
- Isoguanosine (ISO) exhibits potent anticancer properties against HCC cells by promoting apoptosis, inducing cell cycle arrest, and inhibiting migration.
- The observed effects are mediated through modulation of ROS, AKT, MAPK, and STAT3 signaling pathways.
- ISO represents a promising candidate for further pharmacological research and potential development as an anticancer agent.
Related Concept Videos
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
5.1K
The mammalian target of rapamycin or mTOR protein was discovered in 1994 due to its direct interaction with rapamycin. The protein gets its name from a yeast homolog called TOR. The mTOR protein complex in mammalian cells plays a major role in balancing anabolic processes such as the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides and catabolic processes, such as autophagy in response to environmental cues, such as availability of nutrients and growth factors.
The mTOR pathway or the...
The mTOR pathway or the...
5.1K
03:03mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
1.8K
1.8K
01:07MAPK Signaling Cascades
9.5K
Mitogen-activated protein kinase, or MAPK pathway, activates three sequential kinases to regulate cellular responses such as proliferation, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis. The canonical MAPK pathway starts with a mitogen or growth factor binding to an RTK. The activated RTKs stimulate Ras, which recruits Raf or MAP3 Kinase (MAPKKK), the first kinase of the MAPK signaling cascade. Raf further phosphorylates and activates MEK or MAP2 Kinases (MAPKK), which in turn phosphorylates MAP...
9.5K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
6.3K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
6.3K