Matrine alters microRNA expression profiles in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells

Abstract

Matrine, a major alkaloid extracted from Sophora flavescens, has been reported to possess antitumor properties in several types of cancers, including gastric cancer. However, its mechanisms of action on gastric cancer remain poorly understood. Dysregulation of microRNAs, a class of small, non-coding, regulatory RNA molecules involved in gene expression, is strongly correlated with cancer. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate that matrine treatment altered miRNA expression in SGC7901 cells. Using miRCURY™ microarray analysis, we identified 128 miRNAs substantially exhibiting >2-fold expression changes in matrine-treated cells relative to their expression levels in untreated cells. RT-qPCR was used to show that the levels of 8 miRNAs whose target genes were clustered in the cell cycle pathway increased, while levels of 14 miRNAs whose target genes were clustered in the MAPK signaling pathway decreased. These results were consistent with those from the miRNA microarray experiment. Bioinformatical analysis revealed that the majority of 57 identified enrichment pathways were highly involved in tumorigenesis. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that matrine induces considerable changes in the miRNA expression profiles of SGC7901 cells, suggesting miRNA microarray combined with RT-qPCR validation and bioinformatical analysis provide a novel and promising approach to identify anticancer targets and the mechanisms of matrine involved.

Matrine reduces the proliferation of A549 cells via the p53/p21/PCNA/eIF4E signaling pathway

“…Matrine exerts excellent pharmacological activity and is beneficial for lowering body temperature, promoting diuresis, detoxifying, treating jaundice and preventing liver fibrosis. Previous studies indicated that matrine may be used as an effective treatment for various types of cancer, including liver (21) and lung cancer (22), gastric (23) and colon cancer (24), cervical cancer (25), leukemia (26), osteosarcoma (27), glioma (28) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (29), and exhibits potent activity against various other types of cancer. Lung cancer occurs in the bronchial epithelium (30) and is characterized by a high morbidity rate (31), a considerable degree of malignancy, a great metastatic propensity in the early stages and the tendency to recur following tumor excision (32).…”

Understanding the Effectiveness of Natural Compound Mixtures in Cancer through Their Molecular Mode of Action

“…For example, matrine significantly reduces the overexpression of miRNA-21 and stimulates apoptosis in HepG2 and Hep3B cells [130]. Matrine also downregulated 14 miRNAs and upregulated their target genes in the MAPK signaling pathway in SGC7901 human gastric cancer cells [131]. Another natural compound, oxymatrine, acts on human ovarian cancer OVCAR3 cells by upregulating miR‑29b, which downregulates the expression level of matrix metalloproteinase‑2 and induces apoptosis [132].…”

MiR-17-5p regulates cell proliferation and migration by targeting transforming growth factor-β receptor 2 in gastric cancer

“…Oncogenic miRNAs block the function of certain mRNAs, of tumor suppressors whereas tumor suppressive miRNAs produce an anti-tumor effect [10, 11]. Several studies have reported that miRNAs can regulate several aspects of human gastric cancer pathogenesis, including metastasis, invasion, and self-renewal by targeting the EGR2 [12], MAPK [13] and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways [14]. Therefore, targeting specific miRNAs could be a possible alternative for the treatment of gastric cancer.…”