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Further Investigation of the Inhibitory Effect of HKa on Metastasis of Prostate Cancer Cell Line DU145

CSEF · 2009 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology Third Award

Paul Tran · Preuss School, La Jolla, San Diego County

Overview

Objectives/Goals Prostate Cancer metastasis caused by the activation of cell surface receptors, such as EGFR, ERK, and AKT1. Cleaved high molecular-weight kininogen (HKa) is an anti-adhesive protein which, in zinc (Zn2+)-dependent manner, induces apoptosis and inhibits angiogenesis in vivo by binding to/preventing activation of cell surface receptors. The purpose of this research was to identify the role HKa and Zn2+ play in inhibiting Prostate Cancer metastasis by preventing phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, and AKT1. Methods/Materials (1) Immunofluorescence Microscopy was used to observe cellular proliferation and changes in cellular morphology. In the first study, DU145 cells were treated with a high dose of Zn2+ (13.3µL). In the second study, DU145 cells were treated with HKa (4.5µL) and Zn2+ (2µL). (2) To detect phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, and AKT1, DU145 cells were harvested from both Zn2+ Treated and HKa+Zn2+ Treated samples. Western Blot was performed using infrared LI-COR Odyssey Machine. (3) After plating DU145 cells in a dose on a 96-well plate, BrdU Immunohistochemistry System (Oncogene) was used to quantify the proliferation of DU145 cells in both Zn2+ Treated and HKa+Zn2+ Treated samples. Results (1) In the first study, Immunofluorescence Microscopy showed significant proliferation and changes in cellular morphology in Zn2+ Treated samples as the cells grew in clumps and took on a sickle shape. However, in the second study, Immunofluorescence Microscopy showed no proliferation and changes in cellular morphology in the HKa+Zn2+ Treated samples. (2) In the first study, Western Blot showed consistent phosphorylation of EGFR (170 kDa), ERK (42/44 kDa), and AKT1 (56 kDa) in Zn2+ Treated samples. In the second study, Western Blot showed consistent deregulation of EGFR, ERK, and AKT1 in the HKa+Zn2+ Treated samples. (3) In the HKa+Zn2+ Treated samples, Proliferation Assay showed that DU145 cells proliferated in the Control (83 per 100 cells) more so than the HKa+Zn2+ Treated (47 per 100 cells) samples. A p-value of 0.0107 suggested significant difference. Conclusions/Discussion HKa+Zn2+ have a higher potency of preventing phosphorylation of EGFR, ERK, and AKT1 than Zn2+ alone. This suggests that HKa can potentially inhibit Prostate Cancer metastasis by competitively binding to/preventing the activation of cell surface receptors responsible for cellular proliferation and migration.

Summary statement

HKa, a plasma protein that induces apoptosis and inhibit angiogenesis, is used to inhibit Prostate Cancer metastasis by preventing the activation of cell surface receptors responsible for tumor proliferation, namely EGFR, ERK, and AKT1.

Help received

Utilized facilities and equipment at Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center (Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA) under supervision of Yuchuan Liu, PhD.

Awards (1)

Competition history

  • CSEF 2009 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry S0428

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