Over-expression of DJ-1 attenuates effects of curcumin on colorectal cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis
Authors: Y Luo
F Shang
K-M Huang
H Shang
T Wang
M Li
Journal: European review for medical and pharmacological sciences (2019)
Discipline: PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Keywords: PTEN; DJ-1; Curcumin; colorectal cancer; proliferation
Affiliations: Department of Gastroenterology, Zibo Central Hospital, Zibo, Shandong, China. .

Abstract:  Objective: The phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) acts as a tumor suppressor gene by inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway. DJ-1, a negative regulator of PTEN, is associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of tumors. Curcumin (Cur) is a phenolic compound that is extracted from various plant rhizomes with various anti-tumor pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cur on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells. Materials and methods: Human normal colorectal epithelial cell line (NCM460) and colorectal cancer cell line (SW480 and SW620) were cultured in vitro. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR) and western blot were used to detect DJ-1 and PTEN mRNA and protein, respectively. Cell apoptosis was determined with flow cytometry. SW480 cells were divided into control, 20 μM Cur treatment group, Cur+pcDNA3.1-Blank group and Cur+pcDNA3.1-DJ-1 group. Cell proliferation activity was evaluated with EdU staining. Results: Comparing with NCM460 cells, DJ-1 was significantly increased, while PTEN was significantly declined in SW480 and SW620 cells (p&lt;0.05). Cur treatment significantly inhibited SW480 and SW620 cell proliferation and significantly induced apoptosis compared to control group (p&lt;0.05) but showed no significant effects on NCM460 cells. Cur down-regulated DJ-1 level and enhanced PTEN expressions in SW480 cells with dose dependence. The pcDNA3.1-DJ-1 transfection significantly declined PTEN expression, enhanced p-AKT levels, reduced cell apoptosis, and strengthened cell proliferation in SW480 cells treated by Cur (p&lt;0.05). Conclusions: Cur can inhibit colorectal cancer cell proliferation and promote apoptosis by down-regulating DJ-1 expression to regulate the activity of PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. 

Retracted: Yes

PubPeer comments:
 This paper was one of many listed as the work of a papermill, on account of its stylistic features. https: docs.google.com spreadsheets d 1qBqQMXgzxoBd5bTbqdMuapGheupE5bdIopypju417NM edit#gid=0 Some time in the last week or so, the journal wished it into the cornfield: https: www.europeanreview.org article 22230 Since this article has been suspected of research misconduct and the corresponding authors did not respond to our request to prove originality of data and figures, u201cOver-expression of DJ-1 attenuates effects of curcumin on colorectal cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, by H. Shang, T. Wang, F. Shang, M. Li, Y. Luo, K.-M. Huang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2019; 23 (7): 3080-3087u2013DOI: 10.26355 eurrev_201904_17591u2013PMID: 31002157u201d has been withdrawn. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. ![file] ,