Urolithin A causes p21 up-regulation in prostate cancer cells.
PURPOSE
Walnuts contain several bioactive compounds, including pedunculagin, a polyphenol metabolized by microbiota to form urolithins, namely urolithin A (UA). The aim of this study was to determine gene expression changes in prostate cancer cells after incubation with UA.


METHODS
We performed a genomic analysis to study the effect of UA on LNCaP prostate cells. Cells were incubated with 40 µM UA for 24 h, and RNA was extracted and hybridized to Affymetrix Human Genome U219 array. Microarray results were analyzed using GeneSpring v13 software. Differentially expressed genes (p < 0.05, fold change > 2) were used to perform biological association networks. Cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry and apoptosis measured by the rhodamine method and by caspases 3 and 7 activation. Cell viability was determined by MTT assay.


RESULTS
We identified two nodes, FN-1 and CDKN1A, among the differentially expressed genes upon UA treatment. CDKN1A was validated, its mRNA and protein levels were significantly up-regulated, and the promoter activation measured by luciferase. Cell cycle analysis showed an increase in G1-phase, and we also observed an induction of apoptosis and caspases 3 and 7 activation upon UA treatment.


CONCLUSION
Our results indicate a potential role of UA as a chemopreventive agent for prostate cancer.
['Sánchez-González|Claudia|C|', 'Ciudad|Carlos J|CJ|', 'Izquierdo-Pulido|Maria|M|', 'Noé|Véronique|V|']
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic D017209:Apoptosis D053148:Caspase 3 D053179:Caspase 7 D002453:Cell Cycle D045744:Cell Line, Tumor D049109:Cell Proliferation D002470:Cell Survival D003374:Coumarins D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 D005353:Fibronectins D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic D006801:Humans D031324:Juglans D008297:Male D009754:Nuts D059808:Polyphenols D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms D012333:RNA, Messenger D015854:Up-Regulation
Urolithin A Walnuts Ellagitannins cancer prevention