1-Deoxynojirimycin inhibits metastasis of B16F10 melanoma cells by attenuating the activity and expression of matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 and altering cell surface glycosylation.

1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), an iminosugar rich in mulberry, has been shown to possess antimetastatic potential. The antimetastatic mechanisms of 1-DNJ in melanoma B16F10 cells were studied, as were the antimetastatic activity (cell adhesion, migration, and invasion) of 1-DNJ, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) mRNA, and flow cytometric analysis of cell surface in melanoma B16F10 cells. 1-DNJ significantly inhibited invasion, migration, and cell-matrix adhesion and markedly decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity and mRNA expression. In contrast, 1-DNJ effectively enhanced the expression of TIMP-2 mRNA. In addition, 1-DNJ significantly decreased abnormal glycosylation and/or sialylation on B16F10 melanoma cell surface but increased the levels of α-mannose. Thus, the antimetastatic effects of 1-DNJ against B16F10 melanoma cells are likely associated with its attenuated activities and expression of MMP-2/9, enhancement of the TIMP-2 mRNA expression, and alterations of the cell surface-binding motif. These results suggest that 1-DNJ may be useful as an adjuvant of antimetastatic agents such as cisplatin.