Baicalein restrains proliferation, migration, and invasion of human malignant melanoma cells by down-regulating colon cancer associated transcript-1
Authors: Xiaoliang Yang
Yinghao Li
Jinjie Jiang
Chunyan Zhang
Journal: Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research (2019)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Baicalein; melanoma; CCAT1; cell growth; migration
Affiliations: Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Qingdao Central Hospital, The Affiliated Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China., Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Qingdao Central Hospital, The Affiliated Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.

Abstract:  Baicalein (BAI) is an acknowledged flavonoids compound, which is regarded as a useful therapeutic pharmaceutical for numerous cancers. However, its involvement in melanoma is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the anti-melanoma function of BAI and unraveled the regulatory mechanism involved. A375 and SK-MEL-28 were treated with BAI for 24 h. Then, CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and transwell assay were carried out to investigate cell growth, migration, and invasion. RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expression of colon cancer associated transcript-1 (CCAT1) in melanoma tissues and cells. The functions of CCAT1 in melanoma cells were also evaluated. Western blot was utilized to appraise Wnt/β-catenin or MEK/ERK pathways. BAI restrained cell proliferation and stimulated cell apoptotic capability of melanoma by suppressing cleaved-caspase-3 and cleaved-PARP. Cell migratory and invasive abilities were restrained by BAI via inhibiting MMP-2 and vimentin. CCAT1 was over-expressed in melanoma tissues and down-regulated by BAI in melanoma cells. Overexpressed CCAT1 reversed the BAI-induced anti-growth, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects. Furthermore, BAI inhibited Wnt/β-catenin and MEK/ERK pathways-axis via regulating CCAT1. Our study indicated that BAI blocked Wnt/β-catenin and MEK/ERK pathways via regulating CCAT1, thereby inhibiting melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 The Western blots in this paper have an interesting layout that appears to be shared with other papers, such as these papers, all published in the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry: * Ying Liu et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29568 * Long Liu et al. 2020, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29642 * Ling Zhang et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.28729 * Yugeng Li et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.29146 * Xiaoliang Yang et al. 2019, DOI: 10.1002 jcb.28829 Western blot panels within the same figure, or even across figures and papers, appear to share backgrounds, while the bands are regularly spaced, all have similar rounded edges, without the usual smudges and specks. Here is Figure 2C as an example, enhanced (separately for top and bottom parts) to bring out details. Similar-looking areas in the background are highlighted with blue and red rounded boxes. ![file] , 
 As a second example, here is Figure 6B, where all panels also appear to share the same background. Note the vertical stripe above the 1st band, a lighter dot under the 2nd band, and a diagonal stripe between the 3rd and 4th bands. ![file] Could the authors provide the original blots, please? , 
 This paper belongs to a set of over 400 papers (as per February 2020) that share very similar Western blots with tadpole-like shaped bands, the same background pattern, and striking similarities in title structures, paper layout, bar graph design, and - in a subset - flow cytometry panels. Despite these similarities, these papers are authored by researchers from different departments and institutes, with almost no overlap in authors. The list of these papers is available here: https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1KXqTAyl4j-jVorFPMD2XRpr76LcIKJ0CVyIvRj0exYQ edit?usp=sharing A more detailed description of this set of papers, suspected to all be generated by a common source, a paper mill , can be found here: * https: forbetterscience.com 2020 01 24 the-full-service-paper-mill-and-its-chinese-customers (January 2020) * https: scienceintegritydigest.com 2020 02 21 the-tadpole-paper-mill (February 2020) The same paper mill has been described in these papers: * Jana Christopher - Systematic fabrication of scientific images revealed - FEBS Letters (2018) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13201 * Jennifer A Byrne and Jana Christopher - Digital magic, or the dark arts of the 21st centuryu2014how can journals and peer reviewers detect manuscripts and publications from paper mills? - FEBS Letters (2020) - https: febs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com doi full 10.1002 1873-3468.13747 , 
 Retraction, July 23, 2021: https: www.scielo.br j bjmbr a c36z5FVqk8zK37ByNXxrJRC ?lang=en  The authors would like to retract the article u201cBaicalein restrains proliferation, migration, and invasion of human malignant melanoma cells by down-regulating colon cancer associated transcript-1u201d that was published in volume 52 no. 12 (2019) (Epub Nov 25, 2019) of the Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research. After the publication of this study, the corresponding author requested its retraction due to u201cthe identification of unspecified data inconsistency that could lead to mistaken conclusions.u201d The Editors agreed with and endorsed that decision. The Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research had received authorization from all authors before the publication of the paper. We regret the unprofessional behavior of the authors involved. , 
 The National Medical Commission of the PRC announced the results of an investigation, [15 October 2021](http: www.nhc.gov.cn cms-search xxgk getManuscriptXxgk.htm?id=506681bfbc444f7ba1f053b5d4111f50). Thanks to Google Translate for the translation. ------------------------------ 9. The paper  Baicalein restrains proliferation, migration, and invasion of human malignant melanoma cells by down-regulating colon cancer associated transcript-1 published by Li Yinghao, the corresponding author and the first author of Yang Xiaoliang, Qingdao Central Hospital, Shandong Province, was investigated , Department of academic misconduct that tampered with experimental data. Relevant responsible persons shall be dealt with as follows: - 1. To the corresponding author Li Yinghao: scientific research integrity admonishment talks, public notification of criticism in the hospital, recovery of article awards and requesting him to take the initiative to withdraw the article from the magazine, and cancel his five-year application for scientific research projects and science and technology awards , The title of scientific and technological talents and the qualifications for promotion of professional titles. - 2. To the first author Yang Xiaoliang: Talks on scientific research integrity and admonitions, publicly notified criticisms in the hospital, and canceled his five-year application for scientific research projects, scientific and technological awards, scientific and technological talent titles, and qualifications for promotion. - 3. To the second author Jiang Jinjie and the third author Zhang Chunyan: Talks about scientific research integrity and admonitions, publicly notified criticisms in the hospital, and canceled their two-year application for scientific research projects, scientific and technological awards, scientific and technological talent titles and qualifications for promotion. (Notification link: https: www.qdzxyy.com xxdetail.aspx?id=2897 typeid=88 u2002u2002) u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002u2002 ,