Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) induces reactive oxygen species-dependent repression of STAT3 protein by down-regulation of specificity proteins in pancreatic cancer

Ravi Kasiappan, Indira Jutooru, Keshav Karki, Erik Hedrick, Stephen Safe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

44 Scopus citations

Abstract

The antineoplastic agent benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) acts by targeting multiple pro-oncogenic pathways/genes, including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3); however, the mechanism of action is not well known. As reported previously, BITC induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Panc1, MiaPaCa2, and L3.6pL pancreatic cancer cells. This was accompanied by induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell growth and migration, and these responses were attenuated in cells cotreated with BITC plus glutathione (GSH). BITC also decreased expression of specificity proteins (Sp) Sp1, Sp3, and Sp4 transcription factors (TFs) and several pro-oncogenic Sp-regulated genes, including STAT3 and phospho-STAT3 (pSTAT3), and GSH attenuated these responses. Knockdown of Sp TFs by RNA interference also decreased STAT3/pSTAT3 expression. BITC-induced ROS activated a cascade of events that included down-regulation of c-Myc, and it was also demonstrated that c-Myc knockdown decreased expression of Sp TFs and STAT3. These results demonstrate that in pancreatic cancer cells, STAT3 is an Sp-regulated gene that can be targeted by BITC and other ROS inducers, thereby identifying a novel therapeutic approach for targeting STAT3.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)27122-27133
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry
Volume291
Issue number53
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 30 2016

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC) induces reactive oxygen species-dependent repression of STAT3 protein by down-regulation of specificity proteins in pancreatic cancer'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this