Onset of p53/NF-κB signaling crosstalk in human melanoma cells in response to anti-cancer theabrownin

As a major tea component, theabrownin represents a promising anti-cancer candidate. However, its effect on the melanoma is unknown. To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-melanoma efficacy of TB, we conducted cell viability, immunostaining, comet, and TUNEL assays on human A375 melanoma cells, and employed a zebrafish xenograft model of A375 cells. Real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blot were conducted to explore the molecular mechanisms of TB. In vitro, TB significantly inhibited the proliferation of A375 cells, and A375 cells showed the highest inhibitory rate among the other melanoma cell line (A875) and human dermal fibroblasts. TB triggered DNA damage and induced apoptosis of A375 cells and significantly inhibited the growth of A375 xenograft tumors in zebrafishes. Several key molecular events were activated by TB, including DNA damage-associated p53 and NF-kappa B pathways, through up-regulation of GADD45 alpha, gamma-H2A.X, phospho-ATM(p-ATM), phospho-ATR (p-ATR), phospho-p53 (p-p53), phospho-IKK alpha/beta (p-IKK alpha/beta), phospho-p65 (p-p65), etc. However, the TB-activated molecular events were counteracted by either knockdown of p53 or p65, and only dual knockdown of both p53 and p65 completed counteracted the anti-melanoma efficacy of TB. In conclusion, TB triggered DNA damage and thereby inhibited proliferation and induced cellular senescence and apoptosis of melanoma cells through mechanisms mediated by p53/NF-kappa B signaling crosstalk. This is the first report on the efficacy and mechanisms of TB on melanoma cells, making TB a promising candidate for anti-melanoma agent development.

Automated summary

As a major component of tea, theabrownin (TB) has shown promising anti-cancer potential. This study evaluated the anti-melanoma efficacy of TB using both in vitro and in vivo experiments. TB was found to inhibit the proliferation of melanoma cells and induce DNA damage and apoptosis. It also significantly inhibited the growth of melanoma tumors in a zebrafish xenograft model. The molecular mechanisms of TB involved the activation of DNA damage-associated pathways mediated by p53 and NF-kappa B signaling crosstalk.