Antiproliferative effects of Src inhibition on medullary thyroid cancer

Zijuan Liu, Joy Falola, Xudong Zhu, Ying Gu, Lawrence T. Kim, George A. Sarosi, Thomas Anthony, Fiemu E. Nwariaku

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is no effective treatment for recurrent or metastatic medullary thyroid cancer (MTC). Hereditary MTC is associated with mutations in the RET protooncogene, which encodes for a tyrosine kinase. We postulated that Src tyrosine kinases regulate MTC proliferation. Proliferation of the human MTC cell line, TT, was examined in the presence of a Src-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor, PP2, or genistein. Cell counts were performed with a Coulter counter or by flow cytometry. DNA synthesis was evaluated by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. A cell death ELISA was used to assess apoptosis. Akt phospliorylation was determined by Western immunoblot. MAPK activity was measured using an immunoprecipitation kinase assay, and MAPK inhibition was achieved with SB202190 (p38 MAPK) and PD098059 (MAPK kinase). Data were analyzed by ANOVA. Compared with controls, PP2 reduced DNA synthesis, abolished Akt phosphorylation, and increased apoptosis. The MAPK kinase inhibitor, PD098059, attenuated DNA synthesis, whereas genistein caused modest declines in cell count and DNA synthesis and minimal changes in apoptosis. We conclude that Src-dependent MTC proliferation occurs via increased DNA synthesis and reduced apoptosis. The latter effect may be mediated by Akt survival signals. Modulation of Src activity is a potential therapeutic target in MTC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3503-3509
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume89
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Biochemistry
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Biochemistry, medical

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