Stemness targeting of colorectal cell lines mediated by BAMLET and 5-Flourouracil

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2023 Jul 5:664:136-141. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.010. Epub 2023 Apr 9.

Abstract

Purpose: Stemness is the potential for self-renewal and repopulation causing the relapse, progression, and drug resistance of colorectal cancer. We investigated the effects of bovine alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells and 5-Flourouracil consisting of bovine α-lactalbumin protein and oleic acid, on colorectal cancer cells on stemness.

Methods: The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assessed the expression levels of stemness-related genes (c-myc, Lgr5, OCT4). Expression of stemness-related surface markers (CD44 and CD24) was also measured by the flow cytometry technique following the treatments.

Results: Our results indicated decreased expression levels of C-Myc, Lgr5, oct4 as the stemness-related genes (P < 0.0001), and reduced population of CD44+ as the stemness-related cell surface marker upon treatment with BAMLET and 5-Flourouracil. BAMLET inhibited the stemness more effectively than 5-Flourouracil (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion: Based on the result, inhibition of the Stemness related-genes (C-Myc, Lgr5, Oct4) and the surface markers (CD 24+ and CD44+) is a promising therapeutic approach using BAMLET.

Keywords: 5-Flourouracil; Colorectal Neoplasms; Lactalbumin; Oleic acid; Stemness.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Humans
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Oleic Acid* / metabolism
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism

Substances

  • Oleic Acid
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled