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A hyaluronan synthase suppressor, 4‐methylumbelliferone, inhibits liver metastasis of melanoma cells
Author(s) -
Yoshihara Shuichi,
Kon Atsushi,
Kudo Daisuke,
Nakazawa Hideaki,
Kakizaki Ikuko,
Sasaki Mutsuo,
Endo Masahiko,
Takagaki Keiichi
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2005.03.079
Subject(s) - melanoma , metastasis , cell , hyaluronic acid , cancer research , chemistry , in vivo , cell adhesion , in vitro , pathology , medicine , biology , cancer , biochemistry , anatomy , microbiology and biotechnology
4‐Methylumbelliferone (MU) inhibits the cell surface hyaluronan (HA) formation, and that such inhibition results in suppression of adhesion and locomotion of cultured melanoma cells. Here, we examine the effect of MU on melanoma cell metastasis in vivo. MU‐treated melanoma cells showed both decreased cell surface HA formation and suppression of liver metastasis after injection into the mice. Oral administration of MU to mice decreased tissue HA content. These HA knock‐down mice displayed suppressed liver metastasis. Thus, both cell surface HA of melanoma cells and recipient liver HA can promote liver metastasis, indicating that MU has potential as an anti‐metastatic agent.