Keywords

DNA microarray, Prostate cancer, Menthol, Gene set enrichment analysis, PLK1

Abstract

Menthol, a naturally occurring monoterpene, is used in foods, cosmetic products, and topical therapeutic preparations. It also exerts cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell types, including prostate cancer cells. However, little is known about the mechanism of menthol action against prostate cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of menthol on the gene expression profile of PC-3 prostate cancer cells using DNA microarray analyses. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that menthol primarily affects the expression of cell cycle-related genes. Subsequent experimental analyses validated that menthol induces G2/M arrest. Particularly, menthol markedly down-regulated polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1), a key regulator of G2/M phase progression and inhibited its downstream signaling. Our computational analyses and experimental validation provide a basis for future investigations that are aimed at elucidating the action of menthol on cell cycle control in prostate cancer cells.

Original Publication Citation

Kim SH, Lee SH, Piccolo SR, Allen-Brady K, Park EJ, Chun JN, Kim TW, Cho NH, Kim IG, So I, Jeon JH. “Menthol induces cell-cycle arrest in PC-3 cells by down-regulating G2/M genes, including polo-like kinase 1.” Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 2012, Jun 8; 422(3), 436-41

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2012-06-08

Publisher

Elsevier

Language

English

College

Life Sciences

Department

Biology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Associate Professor

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