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  • The Ezh2 polycomb group protein drives an aggressive phenotype in melanoma cancer stem cells and is a target of diet derived sulforaphane.

The Ezh2 polycomb group protein drives an aggressive phenotype in melanoma cancer stem cells and is a target of diet derived sulforaphane.

Molecular carcinogenesis (2015-12-24)
Matthew L Fisher, Gautam Adhikary, Dan Grun, David M Kaetzel, Richard L Eckert
ABSTRACT

Melanoma is a metastatic cancer associated with poor survival. Here, we study a subpopulation of melanoma cancer cells displaying melanoma cancer stem cell (MCS cells) properties including elevated expression of stem cell markers, increased ability to survive as spheroids, and enhanced cell migration and invasion. We show that the Ezh2 stem cell survival protein is enriched in MCS cells and that Ezh2 knockdown or treatment with small molecule Ezh2 inhibitors, GSK126 or EPZ-6438, reduces Ezh2 activity. This reduction is associated with a reduced MCS cell spheroid formation, migration, and invasion. Moreover, the diet-derived cancer prevention agent, sulforaphane (SFN), suppresses MCS cell survival and this is associated with loss of Ezh2. Forced expression of Ezh2 partially reverses SFN suppression of MCS cell spheroid formation, migration, and invasion. A375 melanoma cell-derived MCS cells form rapidly growing tumors in immune-compromised mice and SFN treatment of these tumors reduces tumor growth and this is associated with reduced Ezh2 level and H3K27me3 formation, reduced matrix metalloproteinase expression, increased TIMP3 expression and increased apoptosis. These studies identify Ezh2 as a MCS cell marker and cancer stem cell prevention target, and suggest that SFN acts to reduce melanoma tumor formation via a mechanism that includes suppression of Ezh2 function. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
DL-Sulforaphane, ≥90% (HPLC), synthetic, liquid
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Fetal Bovine Serum, USA origin, Heat Inactivated, sterile-filtered, suitable for cell culture, suitable for insect cell culture, suitable for hybridoma
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Bovine Serum Albumin, heat shock fraction, protease free, suitable for hybridization, pH 7, ≥98%
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Monoclonal Anti-β-Actin antibody produced in mouse, clone AC-15, ascites fluid
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MCDB 153 Medium, With trace elements, L-glutamine and 28mM HEPES, without sodium bicarbonate, powder, suitable for cell culture