Oleic acid stimulates proliferation of RMG-1 ovarian cancer cells by activating the pentose phosphate pathway and glutamine metabolism.

Extracellular fatty acids (FAs) play an important role in regulating cellular functions such as cell proliferation, survival, and migration. The effects of oleic acid (OA) on cancer cells vary depending on the cell type. Our prior study showed that two distinct ovarian cancer cell lines, RMG-1 and HNOA, proliferate in response to OA, but they differ with respect to glucose utilization. Here, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism(s) by which OA stimulates proliferation of RMG-1 cells. We found that OA stimulates RMG-1 proliferation by activating the FA transporter CD36. OA also increases uptake of glucose and glutamine, which subsequently activate the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and glutamine metabolism, respectively. Given that ribose 5-phosphate derived from the PPP is utilized for glutamine metabolism and the subsequent de novo nucleotide synthesis, our findings suggest that OA affects the PPP associated with Gln metabolism, rather than glycolysis associated with glutaminolysis; this leads ultimately to activation of DNA synthesis, which is required for cell proliferation. This selective activation by OA contrasts with the mechanisms observed in HNOA cells, in which OA-induced cell proliferation is driven by transcriptional regulation of the GLUT gene. The diverse responses of cancer cells to OA may be attributed to distinct mechanisms of OA reception and/or different metabolic pathways activated by OA.

Oleic acid stimulates cell proliferation and BRD4-L-MYC-dependent glucose transporter transcription through PPARα activation in ovarian cancer cells.

Fatty acids (FAs) play important roles in cell membrane structure maintenance, energy production via ß-oxidation, and as extracellular signaling molecules. Prior studies have demonstrated that exposure of cancer cells to FAs affects cell survival, cell proliferation, and cell motility. Oleic acid (OA) has somewhat controversial effects in cancer cells, with both pro- and anti-cancer effects, depending on cell type. Our prior findings suggested that OA enhances cell survival in serum starved HNOA ovarian cancer cells by activating glycolysis, but not ß-oxidation. Here, we pharmacologically examined the cellular mechanisms by which OA stimulates glycolysis in HNOA cells. OA induced cell cycle progression, leading to increase in cell number through peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) α activation. OA-induced glycolysis was mediated by increased GLUT expression, and increases in GLUT expression were mediated by increased L-MYC expression. Furthermore, L-MYC expression was due to BRD4 activation. These findings suggested involvement of the BRD4-L-MYC-GLUT axis in OA-stimulated glycolysis. These results suggested that OA could activate PPARα to stimulate two pathways: glycolysis and cell cycle progression, and provided insight into the role of OA in ovarian cancer cell growth.

The Japanese lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum) expresses functional lysophosphatidic acid receptors.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling plays diverse roles in the development of various vertebrates such as mammals and fish. The lamprey is a fish that retains ancestral features of vertebrates, but information regarding lamprey LPA receptor genes is limited. Here, using information from the lamprey genome database, we cloned two LPA receptor genes, Lpar1 and Lpar5, from the Japanese lamprey (Lethenteron camtschaticum). Lamprey Lpar1 had a high amino acid identity to mouse and medaka fish Lpar1, whereas Lpar5 amino acid sequences were more diverse between species. Our functional analyses using a heterologous expression system demonstrated that Lpar1 and Lpar5 responded to LPA treatment with G12/13-associated cellular responses, which are indicative of cytoskeletal actions. The existence of functional LPA receptors in the Japanese lamprey suggests that LPA receptor-dependent signals contribute to lamprey growth and development.

Expression of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 in the adult female mouse pituitary gland.

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 (LPA1) is a receptor of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The present study investigated Lpar1 mRNA expression in the mouse pituitary gland by RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. Lpar1 mRNA was abundantly expressed in the pituitary gland. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed over 90 % of a common glycoprotein α-subunit, luteinizing hormone ß-subunit, and thyroid-stimulating hormone ß-subunit immunoreactive cells co-expressed Lpar1 mRNA in the anterior pituitary gland, but few growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and prolactin cells co-expressed Lpar1. Furthermore, Lpar1 mRNA levels in the pituitary gland were increased after ovariectomy and decreased after E2 administration. These results demonstrate that LPA1-mediated signaling may play physiological roles in gonadotropes and thyrotropes in the mouse pituitary gland.

Cytosine arabinoside induces phosphorylation of histone H2AX in hippocampal neurons via a noncanonical pathway.

Cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), an anticancer drug, is known to inhibit DNA replication in mitotic cells. Ara-C is also considered to induce DNA damage, leading to neuronal cell death. To identify the mechanism by which Ara-C kills neurons, we assessed the levels of phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX), a marker for DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), in hippocampal neurons cultured for 48 h with Ara-C. There was a time-dependent increase in the percentage of cells accumulating γ-H2AX, but TUNEL staining did not indicate the formation of DSBs. The nuclear spread of γ-H2AX remained after Ara-C was withdrawn. These features of Ara-C-induced γ-H2AX formation were quite distinct from those observed in proliferating pheochromocytoma cells. Furthermore, Ara-C-induced γ-H2AX formation appeared to utilize cyclin-dependent kinase 7, but not ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) or ATM and Rad3 related, which are well-known kinases in γ-H2AX formation. Taken together, our findings indicated that Ara-C stimulated γ-H2AX formation in neurons without DSB formation and utilization of canonical kinases, leading to neuronal cell death.

Promotion of cell-invasive activity through the induction of LPA receptor-1 in pancreatic cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a simple biological lipid and mediates several biological functions with LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6). In the present study, to assess whether LPA receptors promote cell-invasive activity of pancreatic cancer cells, highly invasion PANC-R9 cells were established from PANC-1 cells, using Matrigel-coated Cell Culture Insert. The cell-invasive activity of PANC-R9 cells was shown to be approximately 15 times higher than that of PANC-1 cells. LPAR1 expression level was markedly elevated in PANC-R9 cells in comparison with PANC-1 cells, while LPAR3 expression level was reduced. The cell-invasive activity of PANC-R9 cells was enhanced by LPA, but LPA had no impact on PANC-1 cell invasion. Before initiation of the cell invasion assay, PANC-R9 cells were pretreated with dioctanoylglycerol pyrophosphate (DGPP), an antagonist of LPA1/LPA3. The invasive activity of PANC-R9 cells was markedly suppressed by DGPP. Autotaxin (ATX) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) to LPA. ATX expression level was elevated in PANC-R9 cells compared with PANC-1 cells. In the presence of LPC, the cell motile activity of PANC-R9 cells was markedly stimulated. In contrast, LPC did not affect the cell motile activity of PANC-1 cells. PANC-R9 cell motility was inhibited by an ATX inhibitor, PF-8380. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA1 is a potent molecular target for the regulation of tumor progression in PANC-1 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid receptor-2 (LPA2) and LPA5 regulate cellular functions during tumor progression in fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors (LPA1 to LPA6) regulate a variety of malignant properties in cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the roles of LPA receptors in the promotion of cellular functions during tumor progression in fibrosarcoma cells. To obtain long-term anticancer drug treated cells, human fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells were treated with methotrexate (MTX) and cisplatin (CDDP) for 6 months. LPAR2 and LPAR5 expressions were significantly higher in MTX-treated (HT-MTX) cells than in HT1080 cells. The cell motile and invasive activities of HT-MTX cells were significantly elevated compared with HT1080 cells. Although LPAR5 expression was increased in MTX and CDDP treated (HT-M-C) cells, no change of LPAR2 expression was observed. The cell motile and invasive activities of HT-M-C cells were lower than those of HT1080 cells. Moreover, to evaluate whether LPA receptors promote cell invasive activity, highly invasion (HT1080-M6) cells were established from HT1080 cells. The cell invasive activity of HT1080-M6 cells was approximately 4.5 times higher than HT1080 cell invasion. LPAR2 expression was markedly elevated in HT1080-M6 cells compared with HT1080 cells. The high cell invasion activity of HT1080-M6 cells was significantly suppressed by an antagonist of LPA2, H2L5186303. These results suggest that LPA2 acts as a key regulator of malignant properties in HT1080 cells.

Induction of GPR40 positively regulates cell motile and growth activities in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

Free fatty acid (FFA) receptors belong to a member of G-protein-coupled receptors. GPCR 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 are identified as FFA receptors and activated via the binding of long- and medium-chain FFAs. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of GPR120 and GPR40 on cell motility and growth in breast cancer cells treated with tamoxifen (TAM). MCF-7 cells were continuously treated with TAM for approximately 6 months. The expression level of GPR40 gene was markedly higher in the long-term TAM treated (MCF-TAM) cells than in MCF-7 cells. In cell motility assay, MCF-TAM cells indicated the high cell motile activity, compared with MCF-7 cells. The cell motile activity of MCF-TAM cells was suppressed by a selective GPR40 antagonist, GW1100. To evaluate the effects of GPR40 on cell growth activity under estrogen-free conditions, cells were maintained in serum-free DMEM without phenol red for 2 days. In estrogen-free conditioned medium, the cell growth rate of MCF-TAM cells was significantly higher than that of MCF-7 cells. In addition, treatment of GW1100 reduced the cell growth rate of MCF-TAM cells. These results suggest that the cell motile and growth activities may be positively regulated through the induction of GPR40 by the long-term TAM treatment in MCF-7 cells.

Involvement of LPA signaling via LPA receptor-2 in the promotion of malignant properties in osteosarcoma cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via G protein-coupled LPA receptors mediates various biological effects in cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the roles of LPA receptors in the regulation of cellular functions during tumor progression in osteosarcoma cells. Long-term cisplatin (CDDP)-treated MG63-C and MG63-R7-C cells were generated from osteosarcoma MG-63 and highly-migratory MG63-R7 cells, respectively. LPAR2 and LPAR3 expression levels were significantly higher in MG63-C cells than in MG-63 cells, while LPAR1 expression was reduced. MG63-C cells were highly motile, compared with MG-63 cells. MG63-C cell motility was suppressed by LPA2 knockdown and enhanced by the LPA1/LPA3 antagonist, dioctanoylglycerol pyrophosphate. LPAR2 and LPAR3 expression levels were significantly elevated in MG63-R7-C cells in comparison with MG63-R7 cells. MG63-R7-C cells were found to be highly invasive, correlating with metalloproteinase-2 activation. MG63-R7-C cells formed large colonies, whereas colony formation was absent from MG63-R7 cells. Notably, MG63-R7-C cell activities were inhibited by LPA2 knockdown. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA2 plays an important role in the acquisition of malignant properties during tumor progression in MG-63 cells.

Involvement of FFA1 and FFA4 in the regulation of cellular functions during tumor progression in colon cancer cells.

Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFA1) and FFA4 mediate a variety of biological responses through binding of medium- and long-chain free fatty acids. The aim of this study was to investigate an involvement of FFA1 and FFA4 in the regulation of cellular functions during tumor progression in colon cancer cells. The long-term fluorouracil (5-FU) and cisplatin (CDDP) treated cells were generated from DLD1 cells (DLD-5FU and DLD-CDDP cells, respectively). FFAR1 expressions were lower in DLD-5FU and DLD-CDDP cells than in DLD1 cells. In contrast, DLD-5FU and DLD-CDDP cells showed the high FFAR4 expressions, compared with DLD1 cells. The cell motile activities of DLD-5FU and DLD-CDDP cells were reduced by GW9508 which is an agonist of FFA1 and FFA4. Moreover, GW1100, an antagonist of FFA1, inhibited the cell motile activities of DLD-5FU and DLD-CDDP cells. To evaluate whether FFA1 and FFA4 regulate the enhancement of cell motility, invasion and colony formation, highly migratory (hmDLD1) cells were established from DLD1 cells. FFAR1 expression was significantly higher in hmDLD1 cells than in DLD1 cells, but no change of FFAR4 expression was observed. The elevated cell motile and invasive activities and colony formation of hmDLD1 cells were suppressed by FFA1 inhibition. These results suggest that FFA1 and FFA4 are involved in the regulation of cellular functions during tumor progression in colon cancer DLD1 cells.

Exposure to bisphenol A affects GABAergic neuron differentiation in neurosphere cultures.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) influence not only endocrine functions but also neuronal development and functions. In-vivo studies have suggested the relationship of EDC-induced neurobehavioral disorders with dysfunctions of neurotransmitter mechanisms including γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic mechanisms. However, whether EDCs affect GABAergic neuron differentiation remains unclear. In the present study, we show that a representative EDC, bisphenol A (BPA), affects GABAergic neuron differentiation. Cortical neurospheres prepared from embryonic mice were exposed to BPA for 7 days, and then neuronal differentiation was induced. We found that BPA exposure resulted in a decrease in the ratio of GABAergic neurons to total neurons. However, the same exposure stimulated the differentiation of neurons expressing calbindin, a calcium-binding protein observed in a subpopulation of GABAergic neurons. These findings suggested that BPA might influence the formation of an inhibitory neuronal network in developing cerebral cortex involved in the occurrence of neurobehavioral disorders.

Involvement of LPA receptor-5 in the enhancement of cell motile activity by phorbol ester and anticancer drug treatments in melanoma A375 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling through six subtypes of LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6) regulates a variety of biological responses in cancer cells. The aim of our study was to evaluate an involvement of LPA receptors in the activation of cell motility by phorbol ester and anticancer drug treatments in melanoma A375 cells. Cells were treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol- 13-acetate (TPA) and phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDBu) for 3 days. The cell motile activity of TPA treated cells was significantly higher than that of PDBu treated cells, correlating with LPAR5 expression levels. LPA5 knockdown suppressed the high cell motile activity induced by TPA. To assess whether the cell motile activity of A375 cells is stimulated through LPA5 induced by anticancer drugs, the long-term cisplatin (CDDP) and dacarbazine (DTIC) treated cells were generated from A375 cells (A375-CDDP and A375-DTIC cells, respectively). The expression levels of LPA receptor genes were changed in A375-CDDP and A375-DTIC cells. In particular, CDDP and DTIC treatment markedly elevated LPAR5 expressions. The cell motile activities of A375-CDDP and A375-DTIC cells were significantly higher than that of untreated cells. These results suggest that the cell motile activity is regulated through the induction of LPA5 by phorbol ester and anticancer drug treatments in A375 cells.

Effects of LPA1 and LPA6 on the regulation of colony formation activity in colon cancer cells treated with anticancer drugs.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a simple physiological lipid and exhibits a variety of cellular responses via the activation of G protein-coupled transmembrane LPA receptors (LPA receptor-1 (LPA1) to LPA6). The aim of our study was to investigate effects of LPA receptors on soft agar colony formation in colon cancer cells treated with anticancer drugs. DLD1 cells were treated with fluorouracil (5-FU) or cisplatin (CDDP) for at least six months (DLD-5FU and DLD-CDDP cells, respectively). LPAR1 gene expression was markedly elevated in DLD-5FU cells. In contrast, DLD-CDDP cells showed the high expression of LPAR6 gene. In colony formation assay, DLD-5FU cells formed markedly large-sized colonies, while no colony formation was observed in DLD1 and DLD-CDDP cells. The large-sized colonies formed in DLD-5FU cells were suppressed by LPA1 knockdown. In contrast, LPA6 knockdown increased the size of colonies. In addition, DLD-5FU cells were further treated with CDDP for three months (DLD-C-F cells). DLD-CDDP cells were also treated with 5-FU (DLD-F-C cells). DLD-C-F cells formed large-sized colonies, but not DLD-F-C cells, correlating with LPAR1 and LPAR6 gene expression levels. These results suggest that LPA1 and LPA6 may regulate the colony formation activity in DLD1 cells treated with anticancer drugs.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids induce ovarian cancer cell death through ROS-dependent MAP kinase activation.

Free fatty acids not only play a role in cell membrane construction and energy production but also exert diverse cellular effects through receptor and non-receptor mechanisms. Moreover, epidemiological and clinical studies have so far suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could have health benefits and the advantage as therapeutic use in cancer treatment. However, the underlying mechanisms of PUFA-induced cellular effects remained to be cleared. Here, we examined the effects of ω-3 and ω-6 PUFAs on cell death in ovarian cancer cell lines. ω-3 PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and ω-6 PUFA, γ-linolenic acid (γ-LNA) induced cell death in KF28 cells at the levels of physiological concentrations, but not HAC2 cells. Pharmacological and biochemical analyses demonstrated that cell death induced by DHA and γ-LNA was correlated with activation of JNK and p38 MAP kinases, and further an upstream MAP kinase kinase, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1, which is stimulated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, an antioxidant vitamin E attenuated PUFA-induced cell death and MAP kinase activation. These findings indicate that PUFA-induced cell death involves ROS-dependent MAP kinase activation and is a cell type-specific action. A further study of the underlying mechanisms for ROS-dependent cell death induced by PUFAs will lead to the discovery of a new target for cancer therapy or diagnosis.

Functional characterization of lysophosphatidic acid receptor 1 mutants identified in rat cancer tissues.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), an extracellular lipid mediator, exerts various cellular effects through activation of LPA receptors, LPA1-LPA6, in many types of cells including cancer cells. We recently found several missense mutations of Lpar1 in rat cancer tissues. One of these mutations is located at the extracellular tip of the seventh transmembrane domain of LPA1, and another three mutations are found within the NPXXY motif in the seventh transmembrane domain. These mutants are designated F295S LPA1 and P308S, I310T, and Y311H LPA1, respectively. Here, we examined the functions of these LPA1 mutants. Compared with wild-type (WT) LPA1, F295S, P308S, and I310T LPA1 showed decreased maximal responses in inhibition of cAMP formation, Ca2+ mobilization, and cytoskeletal changes. Y311H LPA1 failed to show LPA-induced cellular responses. However, these LPA1 mutants were internalized in response to LPA exposure. Finally, while WT and F295S LPA1 showed a similar, broad distribution throughout the cell, P308S, I310T, and Y311H LPA1 displayed a restricted cellular distribution and co-localized with the endoplasmic reticulum. These data suggest that the LPA1 mutants perturb LPA signaling in cancer tissues.

Lysophosphatidic acid signaling via LPA1 and LPA3 regulates cellular functions during tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via G protein-coupled LPA receptors exhibits a variety of biological effects, such as cell proliferation, motility and differentiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of LPA1 and LPA3 in cellular functions during tumor progression in pancreatic cancer cells. LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown cells were generated from PANC-1 cells. The cell motile and invasive activities of PANC-1 cells were inhibited by LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown. In gelatin zymography, LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown cells indicated the low activation of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) in the presence of LPA. Next, to assess whether LPA1 and LPA3 regulate cellular functions induced by anticancer drug, PANC-1 cells were treated with cisplatin (CDDP) for approximately 6 months. The cell motile and invasive activities of long-term CDDP treated cells were markedly higher than those of PANC-1 cells, correlating with the expression levels of LPAR1 and LPAR3 genes. In soft agar assay, the long-term CDDP treated cells formed markedly large sized colonies. In addition, the cell motile and invasive activities enhanced by CDDP were significantly suppressed by LPA1 and LPA3 knockdown as well as colony formation. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA1 and LPA3 play an important role in the regulation of cellular functions during tumor progression in PANC-1 cells.

Different effects of G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 on cell motile activity of highly migratory osteosarcoma cells.

G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 are members of free fatty acid (FFA) receptors and mediate a variety of biological responses through binding of medium- and long-chain FFAs. Recently, it has been reported that GPR120 and GPR40 regulated cellular functions of cancer cells. In the present study, to assess whether GPR120 and GPR40 are involved in the enhancement of cell motile activity of osteosarcoma cells, we established highly migratory (MG63-R7) cells from osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. The expression level of GPR120 gene was significantly higher in MG63-R7 cells than in MG-63 cells, while no change of GPR40 expression was observed. In cell motility assay, the cell motile activity of MG63-R7 cells was approximately 200 times higher than that of MG-63 cells. The cell motile activity of MG63-R7 cells was stimulated by GW9508, which is an agonist of GPR120 and GPR40. Moreover, a GPR40 antagonist GW1100 elevated the cell motile activity of MG63-R7 cells in the presence of GW9508. To confirm the effects of GPR120 and GPR40 on the cell motile activity of MG63-R7 cells, GPR120 knockdown cells were generated from MG63-R7 cells. The cell motile activity of MG63-R7 cells was markedly suppressed by GPR120 knockdown. These results indicated that GPR120 enhanced and GPR40 inhibited the cell motile activity of highly migratory osteosarcoma cells.

Enhanced cellular functions through induction of LPA2 by cisplatin in fibrosarcoma HT1080 cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a simple biophysical lipid which interacts with at least six subtypes of G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPA1-LPA6). In cancer cells, LPA signaling via LPA receptors is involved in the regulation of malignant properties, such as cell growth, motility, and invasion. The aim of this study was to assess whether LPA receptors regulate cellular functions of fibrosarcoma cells treated with anticancer drug. HT1080 cells were maintained by the stepwise treatment of cisplatin (CDDP) at a range of 0.01 to 1.0 µM for approximately 6 months. The cell motile and invasive activities of long-term CDDP-treated (HT-CDDP) cells were significantly stimulated by LPA treatment, while HT-CDDP cells in the static state showed the low cell motile and invasive activities in comparison with HT1080 cells. Since the expression level of LPAR2 gene was markedly elevated in HT-CDDP cells, LPA2 knockdown cells were generated from HT-CDDP cells. The cell motile and invasive activities of HT-CDDP cells were reduced by LPA2 knockdown. In colony assay, large-sized colonies formed by long-term CDDP treatment were suppressed by LPA2 knockdown. In addition, LPA2 knockdown cells reduced LPA production by autotaxin (ATX), correlating with ATX expression level. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA2 may play an important role in the regulation of cellular functions in HT1080 cells treated with CDDP.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) signaling via LPA4 and LPA6 negatively regulates cell motile activities of colon cancer cells.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an extracellular biological lipid and interacts with six subtypes of G protein-coupled LPA receptors (LPA1 to LPA6). LPA receptors exhibit a variety of cellular functions, depending on types of cancer cells. In this study, to assess the roles of LPA4 and LPA6 in cell growth and motile activities of colon cancer cells, LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown cells were established from DLD1 and HCT116 cells. LPA treatment increased the cell growth activities of LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown cells, compared with control cells. The cell motile activities of LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown cells were significantly higher than those of control cells. To evaluate the effects of LPA4 and LPA6 on cell motile activity induced by anticancer drug, long-term fluorouracil (5-FU) treated (DLD-5FU) cells were generated. The expression levels of LPAR1, LPAR4 and LPAR6 genes were significantly increased in DLD-5FU cells. DLD-5FU cells showed the high cell motile activity, compared with DLD1 cells. The increased cell motile activity was markedly stimulated by LPA4 and LPA6 knockdown. In contrast, the cell motile activity enhanced by 5-FU treatment was suppressed by LPA1 knockdown. These results suggest that LPA signaling via LPA4 and LPA6 negatively regulates the cell motile activities of DLD1 and HCT116 cells as well as long-term 5-FU treated cells.

Different effects of GPR120 and GPR40 on cellular functions stimulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate in melanoma cells.

G-protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) and GPR40 exhibit a variety of biological responses by the binding of free fatty acids. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is a tumor promoting agent of skin carcinogenesis. It is known that TPA treatment stimulates cell motile activity of cancer cells, including melanoma cells. In the present study, we investigated whether GRP120 and GPR40 are involved in regulation of cell motile activity induced by TPA in two melanoma cell lines. A375 and G361 cells were treated with TPA at a concentration of 10 nM for 24 h. The cell motile activity of A375 cells was significantly increased by TPA, correlating with GPR40 expression. In contrast, TPA suppressed the cell motile activity of G361 cells, while GPR120 and GPR40 expressions were increased. The cell motile activity of A375 cells treated with TPA was markedly increased by GPR120 knockdown. In addition, to assess roles of GPR120 and GPR40 in cellular functions of A375 cells by the long-term TPA treatment, cells were treated with TPA (1 nM) for at least 3 months. The long-term TPA treatment induced the high cell motile activity and elevated GPR120 and GPR40 expressions. The high cell motile activity of A375 cells stimulated by the long-term TPA treatment was enhanced by GPR120 knockdown. These results suggest that GPR120 negatively and GPR40 positively regulate cell motile activities induce by TPA in melanoma cells.