Oxocrebanine: A Novel Dual Topoisomerase inhibitor, Suppressed the Proliferation of Breast Cancer Cells MCF-7 by Inducing DNA Damage and Mitotic Arrest

Background: DNA topoisomerase (Topo) inhibition plays key role in breast cancer treatment. Stephania hainanensis H. S. Lo et Y. Tsoong (S. hainanensis), a Li nationality plant that has abundant aporphine alkaloids, can inhibit Topo. Purpose: To identify a dual Topo inhibitor, a deep and systematic study of active aporphine alkaloids in S. hainanensis and their mechanisms of inhibiting breast cancer proliferation and Topo activity are essential. Study design: This study aimed to assess the anti-breast cancer and Topo inhibitory activities of oxocrebanine and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: The growth inhibitory activities of 12 compounds in S. hainanensis were screened by MTT assay in MCF7, SGC-7901, HepG-2 cells, and compared with the effects on human normal mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells as non cancer control cells. The Topo inhibitory activity was assessed by DNA relaxation and unwinding assays, kDNA decatenation assay and western blot. Cell cycle and autophagy analyses were carried out with flow cytometry and staining. Acridine orange staining and alpha-tubulin morphology were observed by fluorescence microscopy. Western blot was used to examine microtubule assembly dynamics and the expression levels of key proteins associated with DNA damage, autophagy and mitotic arrest. Results: Oxocrebanine was the anti-breast cancer active alkaloid in S. hainanensis. It exhibited the best inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells with an IC50 of 16.66 mu mol/l, and had only weak effect on the proliferation of MCF-10A cells. Oxocrebanine inhibited Topo I and II alpha in a cell-free system and in MCF-7 cells. The DNA unwinding assay suggested that oxocrebanine intercalated with DNA as a catalytic inhibitor. Oxocrebanine regulated the levels of Topo I and II alpha and DNA damage-related proteins. Oxocrebanine led to the mitotic arrest, and these effects occurred through both p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. Oxocrebanine induced autophagy, abnormal alpha-tubulin morphology and stimulated enhanced microtubule dynamics. Conclusion: Oxocrebanine was the anti-breast cancer active aporphine alkaloid in S. hainanensis. Oxocrebanine was a Topo I/II alpha dual inhibitor, catalytic inhibitor and DNA intercalator. Oxocrebanine caused DNA damage, autophagy, and mitotic arrest in MCF-7 cells. Oxocrebanine also disrupted tubulin polymerization. Accordingly, oxocrebanine held a great potential for development as a novel dual Topo inhibitor for effective breast cancer treatment.

Automated summary

Oxocrebanine, an active aporphine alkaloid in Stephania hainanensis, exhibited strong anti-breast cancer activity by inhibiting Topo I and II alpha, leading to DNA damage and mitotic arrest in MCF-7 cells. It acted as a catalytic inhibitor and DNA intercalator, also inducing autophagy and disrupting tubulin polymerization. Oxocrebanine showed potential as a dual Topo inhibitor for effective breast cancer treatment.