67-kDa laminin receptor mediates oolonghomobisflavan B-induced cell growth inhibition in melanoma

Abstract

Background: Oolonghomobisflavans are unique polyphenols found in oolong teas. Oolonghomobisflavan B (OHBFB), a dimer of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG), is an active compound found in green tea.

Purpose: OHBFB has been reported to exert an inhibitory effect on lipase enzyme activity. However, little is known regarding its intercellular signaling induction effect. Further, there are no reports describing the anti-cancer effects of OHBFB.

Methods: The effect of OFBFB on B16 melanoma cells was evaluated by cell counting, and its mechanisms were determined by western blot analysis with or without protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) inhibitor treatment. Intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were evaluated by time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) analysis was performed to assess the binding of OHBFB to 67LR.

Results: Cell growth assay and western blot analyses showed that OHBFB inhibited melanoma cell growth, followed by myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) and myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC) dephosphorylation via protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)-dependent mechanisms. These effects are mediated by intracellular cAMP- and protein kinase A (PKA) A-dependent mechanisms. QCM analysis identified the 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR) as an OHBFB receptor with a Kd of 3.7 µM. We also demonstrated for the first time that OHBFB intake suppresses tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusions: Taken together, these results indicate that the cAMP/PKA/PP2A/MYPT1/MRLC pathway is a key mediator of melanoma cell growth inhibition following OHBFB binding to 67LR and that OHBFB suppresses tumor growth in vivo.

Keywords: 67kda laminin receptor; Cancer; Melanoma; Oolong; Phytochemicals; Tea.