ACTIBIND, a T2 RNase, competes with angiogenin and inhibits human melanoma growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis

Cancer Res. 2007 Jun 1;67(11):5258-66. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-0129.

Abstract

Melanoma is a very aggressive and highly angiogenic tumor in which standard treatments have had only limited success. Patients with advanced disease have a 5-year survival rate of 5%. In search for alternatives, we identified a natural product extracted from the fungus Aspergillus niger, termed ACTIBIND, that inhibits tumor growth and metastasis of melanoma in vivo. ACTIBIND, a T2 RNase, exerts antitumorigenic and antiangiogenic activities by competing with the angiogenic factor angiogenin (itself an RNase homologue). Thus, there was decreased expression and activity of the matrix metalloproteinase 2 in melanoma and vascular endothelial cells, decreased vascularization, and increased tumor cell apoptosis in vivo. ACTIBIND significantly inhibited angiogenesis in an in vivo angiogenesis assay with sponges containing angiogenin. In vitro, ACTIBIND was internalized by both melanoma and human umbilical vein endothelial cells, reached the cell nuclei, and inhibited the activity of angiogenin response elements in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our data indicate that ACTIBIND should be tested for its potential as a new antiangiogenic modality for the treatment of melanoma.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Aspergillus niger / enzymology
  • Cell Growth Processes / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Interactions
  • Endoribonucleases / metabolism
  • Endoribonucleases / pharmacology*
  • Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Endothelial Cells / pathology
  • Humans
  • Luciferases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / biosynthesis
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / metabolism
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Melanoma / blood supply
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neoplasm Metastasis
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / pathology
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / metabolism
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic / pharmacology*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Luciferases
  • Endoribonucleases
  • angiogenin
  • ribonuclease T(2)
  • Ribonuclease, Pancreatic
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 2