Non-genomic inhibitory signaling of β-carotene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs

  • Authors:
    • Hussein A.N. Al-Wadei
    • Hildegard M. Schuller
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 1, 2009     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000236
  • Pages: 1093-1098
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Abstract

Studies have suggested that retinoids prevent lung cancer by interacting with nuclear retinoid receptors. However, clinical trials with β-carotene increased lung cancer mortality. We recently showed that β-carotene stimulates the proliferation of small airway-derived adenocarcinoma by increasing cAMP signaling. Here, we have tested the hypothesis that β-carotene may stimulate squamous cell carcinoma cells via similar mechanisms. We determined the effects of β-carotene in cell lines from squamous cell carcinomas and large airway epithelia on proliferation by MTT assays in the presence and absence of inhibitors. Signaling via cAMP/PKA was measured by immunoassays and PKA activation assay. Phosphorylated ERK1/2 was determined by Western blotting. β-carotene significantly inhibited proliferation and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by Gαs-mediated signaling involving adenylyl cyclase, cAMP, PKA and ERK1/2. These findings introduce a non-genomic inhibitory mechanism of β-carotene and emphasize the need for the development of marker-guided lung cancer prevention.

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April 2009
Volume 34 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Al-Wadei HA and Al-Wadei HA: Non-genomic inhibitory signaling of β-carotene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs. Int J Oncol 34: 1093-1098, 2009
APA
Al-Wadei, H.A., & Al-Wadei, H.A. (2009). Non-genomic inhibitory signaling of β-carotene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs. International Journal of Oncology, 34, 1093-1098. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000236
MLA
Al-Wadei, H. A., Schuller, H. M."Non-genomic inhibitory signaling of β-carotene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs". International Journal of Oncology 34.4 (2009): 1093-1098.
Chicago
Al-Wadei, H. A., Schuller, H. M."Non-genomic inhibitory signaling of β-carotene in squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs". International Journal of Oncology 34, no. 4 (2009): 1093-1098. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo_00000236