Effect of Quercetin on RAC1 Gene Expression as a Marker of Metastasis in Cervical Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: Cancer metastasis is the most important cause of cancer death and different treatment strategies have targeted on preventing the occurrence of metastasis. Quercetin is a flavonoid and widely used as an antioxidant and recent studies have discovered its anticancer and antiproliferative capabilities. Rac1 is protein known to involve in tumor invasion and metastases. Objectives: In this study, we investigated the effect of quercetin on expression of Rac1 protein. Materials and Methods:In this experimental study, HeLa cells were treated with quercetin at 2 concentrations (20 and 40 μM) for 24 hours and then cell lysate was assessed by Western blotting analysis to investigate the impact of quercetin on expression of Rac1 protein.Results: Quercetin significantly decreased Rac1 expression of HeLa cells assessed by western blotting, in dose-dependent manners (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that quercetin decreased Rac1 expression as a marker of metastasis in cervical cancer cells. Therefore, the quercetin may provide an effective new strategy to reduce of tumor metastasis.

Rho GTPases in Gynecologic Cancers: In-Depth Analysis toward the Paradigm Change from Reactive to Predictive, Preventive, and Personalized Medical Approach Benefiting the Patient and Healthcare

“…A study showed that Rac1 plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis in cervical cancer cells, and its reduction can potentially increase chemosensitivity to cisplatin [147]. Under experimental conditions on HeLa cells, the authors found that a phytochemical quercetin decreased Rac1 expression, which could be useful in reduction of cervical cancer metastasis [148]. Similarly, the effect of anti-cancer phytochemical rocaglamide-A inhibited the activity of RhoA, Rac1, and Cdc42 GTPases and suppressed metastasis formation [149].…”