Targeting at cancer energy metabolism and lipid droplet formation as new treatment strategies for epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in colorectal cancer cells
Yujie Wang, Haitao Pan, Dian chen, Dandan Guo, Xingya Wang
Abstract
Fatty acid metabolic reprogramming is an important hallmark of cancer cells. In this study, we examined the effects of the green tea polyphenol EGCG on fatty acid and energy metabolisms in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. EGCG significantly inhibited the viability of HCT116 and HT-29 cancer cells, accompanied by decreased lipid droplet formation and triglyceride contents. EGCG deregulated the expression of the key genes involved in fatty acid de novo synthesis, lipid uptake, lipolysis, fatty acid β oxidation, and thermogenesis at both the mRNA and protein levels. Besides, EGCG decreased the mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate (OCR), cytosolic glycolysis, and ATP production in CRC cells. Moreover, EGCG activated AMPK in CRC cells, whereas AMPK inhibitor Compound C increased the cell viability, expression of FASN, and lipid droplet formation in HCT116 cells when cotreated with EGCG. Collectively, EGCG may serve as a potent fatty acid and energy metabolism regulator to inhibit CRC.