Oleamide derivatives suppress the spontaneous metastasis by inhibiting connexin 26

Int J Cancer. 2007 Jul 1;121(1):47-54. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22608.

Abstract

We previously reported that overexpressing connexin 26 (Cx26) enhances the spontaneous metastasis of mouse BL6 melanoma cells. In contrast, daily intraperitoneal injections of an oleamide derivative named MI-18 potently inhibits the spontaneous metastasis of BL6 cells. In the present study, we chemically synthesized a novel oleamide derivative named MI-22 and found that it also efficiently suppressed the spontaneous metastasis of BL6 cells. Both MI-18 and MI-22 inhibited the gap junction-mediated intercellular communications (GJIC) that are formed between HeLa cells by the ectopic expression of the hCx26 and hCx32 human connexin subtypes; however, they had no effect on GJIC mediated by hCx40, hCx43 or hCx45. Fluorescently labeled MI-18 primarily localized not only at plasma membrane but also at Golgi/endosome. This suggests that this oleamide derivative may also act on the Cx26 molecules that accumulate in the Golgi/endosome because of their overexpression. Notably, neither derivative had a cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells when they were added into the tissue culture medium. Taken together, we propose that the MI-18 and MI-22 oleamide derivatives may serve as prototypes for novel and clinically important anticancer drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Connexin 26
  • Connexins / classification
  • Connexins / genetics
  • Connexins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / prevention & control
  • Oleic Acids / chemical synthesis
  • Oleic Acids / chemistry*
  • Oleic Acids / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Connexins
  • GJB2 protein, human
  • Gjb2 protein, mouse
  • Oleic Acids
  • Connexin 26
  • oleylamide