Melittin inhibits tumor cell migration and enhances cisplatin sensitivity by suppressing IL-17 signaling pathway gene LCN2 in castration-resistant prostate cancer

Background: Melittin is a small molecule polypeptide extracted from the abdominal cavity of bees, which is used to treat inflammatory diseases and relieve pain. However, the antitumor effect of melittin and its mechanisms remain unclear, especially in castration-resistant prostate Cancer (CRPC).

Methods: Through CCK-8 assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay and Transwell migration assay, we explored the effect of melittin on CRPC cell lines. In addition, with microarray analysis, gene ontology analysis and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes analysis, this study identified key genes and signaling pathways that influence the growth of PC-3 cells. Meanwhile, the effect of melittin on CRPC was also verified through subcutaneous tumor formation experiments. Finally, we also tested the relevant indicators of human prostate Cancer (PCa) specimens through immunohistochemistry and H＆E stating.

Results: Here, melittin was verified to inhibit the cell proliferation and migration of CPRC. Moreover, RNA-sequence analysis demonstrated that Interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway gene Lipocalin-2 (LCN2) was downregulated by melittin treatment in CRPC. Further investigation revealed that overexpression of LCN2 was able to rescue tumor suppression and cisplatin sensitivity which melittin mediated. Interestingly, the expression of LCN2 is highly related to metastasis in PCa.

Conclusions: In brief, our study indicates that LCN2 plays an oncogenic role in CRPC and melittin may be selected as an attractive candidate for CRPC therapy.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) signaling pathway; castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC); cisplatin; lipocalin 2 (LCN2/NGAL); melittin.