Kaempferol inhibits non-homologous end joining repair via regulating Ku80 stability in glioma cancer

Background: Targeting DNA damage response and DNA repair proficiency of cancers is an important anticancer strategy. Kaempferol (Kae), a natural flavonoid, displays potent antitumor properties in some cancers. However, the precise underlying mechanism of Kae regulates DNA repair system are poorly understood. Purpose: We aim to evaluate the efficacy of Kae in the treatment of human glioma as well as the molecular mechanism regarding DNA repair. Study design: Effects of Kae on glioma cells were detected using CCK-8 and EdU labeling assays. The molecular mechanism of Kae on glioma was determined using RNAseq. The inhibition effects of Kae on DNA repair were verified using Immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and pimEJ5-GFP report assays. For in vivo study, orthotopic xenograft models were established and treated with Kae or vehicle. Glioma development was monitored by bioluminescence imaging, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and brain sections Hematoxylin/Eosin (HE) staining. Immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis was used to detect expression of Ku80, Ki67 and gamma H2AX in engrafted glioma tissue. Results: We found that Kae remarkably inhibits viability of glioma cells and decreases its proliferation. Mechanistically, Kae regulates multiple functional pathways associated with cancer, including non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. Further studies revealed that Kae inhibits release of Ku80 from the double-strand breaks (DSBs) sites via reducing ubiquitylation and degradation of Ku80. Therefore, Kae significantly suppresses NHEJ repair and induces accumulation of DSBs in glioma cells. Moreover, Kae displays a dramatic inhibition effects on glioma growth in an orthotopic transplantation model. These data demonstrate that Kae can induce deubiquitination of Ku80, suppress NHEJ repair and inhibit glioma growth. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that inhibiting release of Ku80 from the DSBs by Kae may be a potential effective approach for glioma treatment.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of kaempferol (Kae), a flavonoid, in treating human glioma and its mechanism in regulating DNA repair. The results showed that Kae significantly inhibits the viability and proliferation of glioma cells, and induces the accumulation of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) by suppressing non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) repair. In an orthotopic transplantation model, Kae also exhibited significant inhibition of glioma growth. These findings suggest that inhibiting the release of Ku80 from DSBs by Kae may be an effective approach for glioma treatment.