ΔM4: Membrane-Active Peptide with Antitumoral Potential against Human Skin Cancer Cells

Abstract

Peptides have become attractive potential agents due to their affinity to cancer cells. In this work, the biological activity of the peptide ΔM4 against melanoma cancer cell line A375, epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431, and non-tumoral HaCaT cells was evaluated. The cytotoxic MTT assay demonstrates that ΔM4 show five times more activity against cancer than non-cancer cells. The potential membrane effect of ΔM4 was evaluated through lactate dehydrogenase release and Sytox uptake experiments. The results show a higher membrane activity of ΔM4 against A431 in comparison with the A375 cell line at a level of 12.5 µM. The Sytox experiments show that ΔM4 has a direct effect on the permeability of cancer cells in comparison with control cells. Infrared spectroscopy was used to study the affinity of the peptide to membranes resembling the composition of tumoral and non-tumoral cells. The results show that ΔM4 induces a fluidization effect on the tumoral lipid system over 5% molar concentration. Finally, to determine the appearance of phosphatidylserine on the surface of the cell, flow cytometry analyses were performed employing an annexin V–PE conjugate. The results suggest that 12.5 µM of ΔM4 induces phosphatidylserine translocation in A375 and A431 cancer cells. The findings of this study support the potential of ΔM4 as a selective agent for targeting cancer cells. Its mechanism of action demonstrated selectivity, membrane-disrupting effects, and induction of phosphatidylserine translocation.

Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment of Basal Cell Carcinoma

“…The use of diode laser ablation consistently yielded exceptional results in all cases. [13][14][15] Our research, along with various other studies, has consistently indicated a higher incidence of BCC in men. This gender disparity is often attributed to prolonged outdoor activities that expose individuals to the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation, like in the case of farmers, gardeners, fishermen, and builders, who frequently spend extended periods in the sun.…”

“…Nodular BCC emerged as the most prevalent histological subtype, accounting for 32% of cases. The use of diode laser ablation consistently yielded exceptional results in all cases 13–15 …”