IIUM Repository

Specific cytotoxic effects of parasporal crystal proteins isolated from native Saudi Arabian bacillus thuringiensis strains against cervical cancer cells

Aboul-Soud, Mourad A.M. and Al-Amri, Mohammed Z. and Kumar, Ashok and Al-Sheikh, Yazeed A. and Ashour, Abdelkader Elbadawy Abbas and El-Kersh, Talaat A. (2019) Specific cytotoxic effects of parasporal crystal proteins isolated from native Saudi Arabian bacillus thuringiensis strains against cervical cancer cells. Molecules, 24 (3). pp. 1-16. ISSN 1420-3049

[img]
Preview
PDF
Download (3MB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF (wos) - Supplemental Material
Download (410kB) | Preview
[img]
Preview
PDF (scopus) - Supplemental Material
Download (207kB) | Preview

Abstract

Currently, global efforts are being intensified towards the discovery of local Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) isolates with unique anticancer properties. Parasporins (PS) are a group of Bt non-insecticidal crystal proteins with potential and specific in vitro anticancer activity. However, despite the significant therapeutic potential of PS-producing Bt strains, our current knowledge on the effects of these proteins is limited. Hence, the main objective of this study was to screen Bt-derived parasporal toxins for cytotoxic activities against colon (HT-29) and cervical (HeLa) cancerous cell lines. Nine non-larvicidal and non-hemolytic Bt strains, native to Saudi Arabia, were employed for the isolation of their parasporal toxins. 16S rDNA sequencing revealed a 99.5% similarity with a reference Bt strain. While PCR screening results indicated the absence of selected Cry (Cry4A, Cry4B, Cry10 and Cry11), Cyt (Cyt1 and Cyt2) and PS (PS2, PS3 and PS4) genes, it concluded presence of the PS1 gene. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that proteolytically-cleavaged PS protein profiles exhibit patterns resembling those observed with PS1Aa1, with major bands at 56 kDa and 17 kDa (Bt7), and 41 kDa and 16 kDa (Bt5). Solubilized and trypsinized PS proteins from all Bt strains exhibited a marked and dose-dependent cytotoxicity against HeLa cancerous cells but not against HT-29 cells. IC50 values ranged from 3.2 (Bt1) to 14.2 (Bt6) with an average of 6.8 µg/mL. The observed cytotoxicity of PS proteins against HeLa cells was specific as it was not evident against normal uterus smooth muscle cells. RT-qPCR analysis revealed the overexpression of caspase 3 and caspase 9 by 3.7, and 4.2 folds, respectively, indicative of the engagement of intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report exploring and exploiting the versatile repertoire of Saudi Arabian environmental niches for the isolation of native and possibly novel Saudi Bt strains with unique and specific anticancer activity. In conclusion, native Saudi Bt-derived PS proteins might have a potential to join the arsenal of natural anticancer drugs.

Item Type: Article (Journal)
Additional Information: 8129/70427
Uncontrolled Keywords: Bacillus thuringiensis; parasporin; δ-endotoxin; non-insecticidal inclusions; in vitro cytotoxicity; apoptosis
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HC Economic History and Conditions > HC94 By region or country
R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC270 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology-Cancer and Other Malignant Neoplasms-Therapeutics
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button): Kulliyyah of Medicine > Department of Basic Medical
Depositing User: Dr. Abdelkader Ashour
Date Deposited: 26 Apr 2019 10:12
Last Modified: 31 Jul 2019 14:45
URI: http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/70427

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year