Chiara Platella1, Serena Guida2, Laura Bonmassar3, Angelo Aquino4, Enzo Bonmassar2, Giampiero Ravagnan2, Daniela Montesarchio1, Giovanni N Roviello5, Domenica Musumeci6, Maria Pia Fuggetta7. 1. Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy. 2. Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy. 3. Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata-IRCCS, Via Monti di Creta, Rome, Italy. 4. School of Medicine, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, Rome, Italy. 5. Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: giroviel@unina.it. 6. Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; Institute of Biostructures and Bioimages, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, I-80134 Naples, Italy. Electronic address: domenica.musumeci@unina.it. 7. Institute of Translational Pharmacology, CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, I-00133 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: mariapia.fuggetta@ift.cnr.it.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: trans-Resveratrol (tRES) is a polyphenolic stilbene found in plant products which has attracted great attention because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. METHODS: The possible correlation between tRES-induced suppression of melanoma cell growth and its influence on telomerase expression has been investigated by biological assays. Moreover, in order to gain new knowledge about possible mechanisms of action of tRES as antineoplastic agent, its interaction with biologically relevant secondary structure-forming DNA sequences, its aggregation properties and copper-binding activity have been studied by CD, UV and fluorescence spectroscopies. RESULTS: Biological assays have confirmed that growth inhibitory properties of tRES well correlate with the reduction of telomerase activity and hTERT gene transcript levels in human melanoma cells. Biophysical studies in solution have proved that tRES binds all the studied DNA model systems with low affinity, however showing high ability to discriminate G-quadruplex vs. duplex DNA. In addition, tRES has shown no propensity to form aggregates in the explored concentration range and has been found able to bind Cu2+ ions with a 2:1 stoichiometry. CONCLUSIONS: From these biological and biophysical analyses it has emerged that tRES produces cytotoxic effects on human melanoma cells and, at a molecular level, is able to bind Cu2+ and cancer-involved G-quadruplexes, suggesting that multiple mechanisms of action could be involved in its antineoplastic activity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Expanding the knowledge on the putative mechanisms of action of tRES as antitumour agent can help to develop novel, effective tRES-based anticancer drugs.
BACKGROUND:trans-Resveratrol (tRES) is a polyphenolic stilbene found in plant products which has attracted great attention because of its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. METHODS: The possible correlation between tRES-induced suppression of melanoma cell growth and its influence on telomerase expression has been investigated by biological assays. Moreover, in order to gain new knowledge about possible mechanisms of action of tRES as antineoplastic agent, its interaction with biologically relevant secondary structure-forming DNA sequences, its aggregation properties and copper-binding activity have been studied by CD, UV and fluorescence spectroscopies. RESULTS: Biological assays have confirmed that growth inhibitory properties of tRES well correlate with the reduction of telomerase activity and hTERT gene transcript levels in humanmelanoma cells. Biophysical studies in solution have proved that tRES binds all the studied DNA model systems with low affinity, however showing high ability to discriminate G-quadruplex vs. duplex DNA. In addition, tRES has shown no propensity to form aggregates in the explored concentration range and has been found able to bind Cu2+ ions with a 2:1 stoichiometry. CONCLUSIONS: From these biological and biophysical analyses it has emerged that tRES produces cytotoxic effects on humanmelanoma cells and, at a molecular level, is able to bind Cu2+ and cancer-involved G-quadruplexes, suggesting that multiple mechanisms of action could be involved in its antineoplastic activity. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Expanding the knowledge on the putative mechanisms of action of tRES as antitumour agent can help to develop novel, effective tRES-based anticancer drugs.