Morusin exerts anti-cancer activity in renal cell carcinoma by disturbing MAPK signaling pathways
Chengfei Yang, Jing Luo, Xing Luo, Weisheng Jia, Zhenqiang Fang, Shanhong Yi, Longkun Li
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has gradually become a severe type of kidney malignant tumor, which warrants an urgent need for highly efficacious therapeutic agents. Morusin, a typical prenylated flavonoid, has been revealed to possess anticarcinogenic effects against several cancers by inhibiting cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. METHODS: Cells proliferation was examined by CCK-8. Migration assays were performed using a 24-well transwell chamber. Apoptotic cells were detected using the Annexin V PE/7-AAD apoptosis detection kit. Cell cycle analysis was carried out by flow cytometry. Western blotting and quantitative real time (qRT) PCR were used to exam the change of target gene in mRNA and protein level. Nude mouse xenograft experiments were performed to identify vivo function of morusin. RESULTS: . Moreover, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal pathways were found to be involved in morusin-induced anti-cancer activity. P-p38 and P-JNK levels were up-regulated by morusin, while the ERK phosphorylation level was down-regulated. CONCLUSIONS: through MAPK signal pathways. Thus, morusin could be a potential anti-cancer agent for RCC.