Kisspeptin-10, a KISS1-derived decapeptide, inhibits tumor angiogenesis by suppressing Sp1-mediated VEGF expression and FAK/Rho GTPase activation

Cancer Res. 2009 Sep 1;69(17):7062-70. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-09-0476. Epub 2009 Aug 11.

Abstract

Kisspeptin-10 (Kp-10), a decapeptide derived from the primary translation product of KISS1 gene, has been reported previously to be a key hormone for puberty and an inhibitor for tumor metastasis via the activation of G protein-coupled receptor 54. However, whether Kp-10 inhibits angiogenesis, which is critical for tumor growth and metastasis and other human diseases, is still unknown. Here we show that Kp-10 significantly inhibits human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration, invasion, and tube formation, key processes in angiogenesis. Using chicken chorioallantoic membrane assay and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced mouse corneal micropocket assay, we show that Kp-10 inhibits angiogenesis in vivo. Furthermore, Kp-10 inhibits tumor growth in severe combined immunodeficient mice xenografted with human prostate cancer cells (PC-3) through inhibiting tumor angiogenesis, whereas Kp-10 has little effect on the proliferation of HUVECs and human prostate cancer cells. In deciphering the underlying molecular mechanisms, we show that Kp-10 suppresses VEGF expression by inhibiting the binding of specificity protein 1 to VEGF promoter and by blocking the activation of c-Src/focal adhesion kinase and Rac/Cdc42 signaling pathways in HUVECs, leading to the inhibition of tumor angiogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Chick Embryo
  • Chorioallantoic Membrane
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects*
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kisspeptins
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / blood supply
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy*
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / metabolism
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / drug effects*
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / physiology
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / chemistry
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Wound Healing / drug effects
  • Wound Healing / physiology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • KISS1 protein, human
  • Kisspeptins
  • Oligopeptides
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases