Change in Gene Expression Profile Induced by a-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone in a Malignant Mesothelioma Cell Line

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2006 May 30;52(2):69-74. [Link]

Colombo G, Sordi A, Turcatti F, Carlin A, Rossi C, Lonati C, Santambrogio L, Gatti S, Catania A.

Fondazione IRCCS Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico Center for Preclinical Investigation Mangiagalli e Regina Elena, Via F. Sforza 35, Milano 20122, Italy.

Abstract

We have previously reported that the peptide a-melanocyte stimulating hormone (a-MSH) has antiproliferative effects in human malignant mesothelioma cells. To determine the molecular mechanisms underlying such effects, we investigated the changes in gene expression profile induced by the a-MSH analog [Nle4 -DPhe7 ]-a-MSH (NDP-a-MSH) in a human malignant mesothelioma cell line. The cDNA macroarray technique revealed changes in expression of genes involved in cell growth, adhesion, signal transduction, and transcription. In particular, NDP-a-MSH down-regulated expression of B-Myb and Myc, two oncogenes considered of paramount importance for cell proliferation and cancer. Further, NDP-a-MSH exerted a favorable transcriptional regulation of certain integrins and their signaling pathways. Finally, peptide treatment was associated with a prominent inhibition of IL-13, a cytokine with tumor-promoting effects. The data indicate that the influences of a-MSH extend beyond the established anti-inflammatory effects in normal cells to include cell cycle regulatory properties in malignant cells.