Nettle Protein's Potential to Slow Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Spread

Greg Howard
29th June, 2024

Nettle Protein's Potential to Slow Prostate Cancer Cell Growth and Spread

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • Researchers at the University of Mazandaran found that a plant-derived lectin, Urtica dioica agglutinin, can inhibit prostate cancer cell growth and movement
  • Urtica dioica agglutinin interferes with the interaction between hyaluronic acid (HA) and the cell-surface protein CD44, which is crucial for cancer cell spread
  • The study showed that Urtica dioica agglutinin significantly reduces cancer cell viability and wound closure, suggesting it disrupts cancer cell proliferation and migration
Prostate cancer is a significant health concern, with current treatment options often falling short due to the complexity of tumor biology. A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Mazandaran has explored a novel approach to inhibit the proliferation and migration of prostate cancer cells by targeting hyaluronic acid (HA) pathways using a plant-derived lectin called Urtica dioica agglutinin[1]. Hyaluronic acid, a linear polysaccharide composed of repeating sugar units of glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine, is an essential component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). It plays a crucial role in various physiological processes, including tissue hydration, wound healing, and cancer progression[2]. The interaction between HA and the cell-surface glycoprotein CD44 is particularly important in cancer metastasis, as CD44 facilitates cell adhesion, migration, and proliferation[3][4]. The study aimed to investigate the potential of U. dioica agglutinin to inhibit prostate cancer cell proliferation and migration by interfering with the HA-CD44 interaction. Researchers conducted molecular docking studies to analyze the binding affinity of U. dioica agglutinin to N-acetylglucosamine, a component of HA, and compared it to the binding of HA itself. The results demonstrated that U. dioica agglutinin interacts with six specific residues on CD44, whereas HA interacts with only one. In vitro experiments further supported these findings. The expression of hyaluronan synthase genes, responsible for HA production, was highest in the PC3 prostate cancer cell line. U. dioica agglutinin was shown to significantly reduce cell viability and wound closure at concentrations of 150 µg/mL or higher. Interestingly, when combined with HA, the effective concentration of U. dioica agglutinin needed to inhibit cell proliferation increased to 350 µg/mL or higher. This suggests a competitive interaction between U. dioica agglutinin and HA for binding to CD44. Moreover, the study observed changes in the expression of key genes involved in cancer progression. There was a notable decrease in Nanog, a marker associated with stem cell properties and tumor aggressiveness, and an increase in CD44 expression. These results imply that U. dioica agglutinin may disrupt the HA-CD44 pathway, thereby impairing the cancer cells' ability to proliferate and migrate. This research builds on previous findings that underscore the significance of HA in cancer progression. High molecular weight HA is generally associated with tissue homeostasis and protective functions, whereas low molecular weight HA is linked to pathological conditions and pro-oncogenic activities[2]. The interaction between HA and CD44 has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where it promotes metastasis by facilitating cell migration and invasion[3][4]. By targeting the HA-CD44 interaction, U. dioica agglutinin offers a promising approach to inhibit cancer cell proliferation and migration. This study not only highlights the potential of plant-derived lectins in cancer therapy but also provides a new avenue for developing treatments that disrupt critical molecular pathways involved in tumor progression.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Evidence of Urtica dioica Agglutinin's Antiproliferative and Anti-migratory Potentials on the Hyaluronic Acid-Overexpressing Prostate Cancer Cells.

Published 28th June, 2024

https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2324-2250

Related Studies

2) Hyaluronic Acid as a Modern Approach in Anticancer Therapy-Review.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010103

3) The Role of CD44 in Disease Pathophysiology and Targeted Treatment.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2015.00182

4) CD44: A Multifunctional Cell Surface Adhesion Receptor Is a Regulator of Progression and Metastasis of Cancer Cells.

https://doi.org/10.3389/fcell.2017.00018


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