Macrocyclic trichothecene toxins (MTTs) were extracted from Podostroma cornu-damae, a deadly poisonous mushroom. Although these compounds have been known to possess antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer activities, their anti-melanoma activity has not...
Macrocyclic trichothecene toxins (MTTs) were extracted from Podostroma cornu-damae, a deadly poisonous mushroom. Although these compounds have been known to possess antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer activities, their anti-melanoma activity has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, anti-cancer activity of MTTs against mouse melanoma cell line (B16F10) and their underlying mechanisms were examined. The isolated compounds (P1−13) were evaluated for cytotoxicity against mouse melanoma cell line (B16F10). P1 (Roridin E, R) and P5 (Satratoxin H, S) exhibited a significant cytotoxicity and reduced cell proliferation. They elevated the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3. They also increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in a dose dependent manner. The cytotoxicity caused by R and S was attenuated after scavenging ROS with glutathione (GSH). In the Autodock analysis, R and S showed high binding affinity with ribosome, indicating their binding to ribosome. R and S upregulated the levels of ER stress biomarkers and activated the unfolded protein response (IRE1, PERK, ATF6). In addition, they induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and caused caspase-dependent apoptosis following ER stress response. Collectively, these results indicate that R and S can trigger ER stress-mediated apoptosis in melanoma cells, suggesting that they could be introduced as an anti-melanoma strategy.