Inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor by ferulic acid and 4-vinylguaiacol in human breast cancer cells.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the potential of ferulic acid and 4-vinylguaiacol for inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in human breast cancer cells in vitro. RESULTS: Ferulic acid and 4-vinylguaiacol limit the EGF (epidermal growth factor)-induced breast cancer proliferation and new DNA synthesis. Western blot analysis revealed both ferulic acid and 4-vinylguaiacol exhibit sustained inhibition of EGFR activation through down-regulation of Tyr 1068 autophosphorylation. Molecular docking analysis shows ferulic acid forming hydrogen bond interaction with Lys 745 and Met 793 whereas, 4-vinylguaiacol forms two hydrogen bonds with Phe 856 and exhibits stronger hydrophobic interactions with multiple amino acid residues at the EGFR kinase domain. CONCLUSIONS: Ferulic acid and 4-vinylguaiacol could serve as a potential structure for the development of new small molecule therapeutics against EGFR.

AKT-p53 axis protect cancer cells from autophagic cell death during nutrition deprivation.

An altered metabolism supports growth of tumor. AKT, a major signal integrator plays a key role in cell metabolism. We have shown that nutritional deprivation activates AKT as observed by increased phosphorylation of both Thr308 and Ser473. Pharmacological inhibition or silencing of AKT by siRNA affects cell viability during starvation. The tumor suppressor, p53 is also observed to be elevated during nutritional deprivation due to AKT. Silencing of AKT and p53 enhanced autophagy as evidenced by increased acidic vesicular organelles and LC3B II levels, suggesting AKT-p53 to play a significant role in cell survival through regulating autophagy during nutritional deprivation.