Investigation of the Relationship of Dl-Phenylalanine and Dl-Alanine Wi̇th the Hedgehog Pathway in the Prostate Cancer Cell Line (Pc-3)

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effect of DL-Phenylalanine and DL-Alanine on the Hedgehog signaling pathway on the PC-3 prostate cancer cell line. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The effects of DL-Phenylalanine and DL-Alanine on cell viability in PC-3 cancer cells were determined by the MTT method. The IC50 value determined for DL-Phenylalanine was applied to PC-3 and HEK-293 cells. Total RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were performed. Gene expression of key genes related to the Hedgehog pathway (SHH, PTCH, SMO, GLI-1) was determined by qPCR (Quantitative PCR). RESULTS: DL-Alanine showed no cytotoxic effect on PC-3 cells. DL-Phenylalanine decreased cell viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The IC50 value for DL-Phenylalanine was determined to be 500 μg/mL at 48 hours. After DL-Phenylalanine application in PC-3 cells, down-regulation in the expression of all genes was detected, while up-regulation was detected in HEK-293 cells (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: DL-Phenylalanine inhibited the Hedgehog pathway in prostate cancer cells. This inhibition was not observed in the control group HEK-293 cells. While DL-Phenylalanine may be a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer, DL-Alanine was not found to have such an effect.