3,3′-Diindolylmethane disrupts the endoplasmic reticulum and nuclear envelope in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Abstract

3,3′-Diindolylmethane is recognized for its anti-cancer activities in various pathways, though its mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Previous studies have shown that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane disturbed the localization of Cut11, a nuclear pore complex subunit in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. This study further reveals that in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, 3,3′-Diindolylmethane also disrupts other components of nuclear envelope, causing GFP-NLS leakage, making it evident that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane disrupts the nuclear envelope. 3,3′-Diindolylmethane also disturbs the localization of GFP-ADEL and Ost4, which are endoplasmic reticulum lumen proteins and membrane proteins respectively, suggesting the function of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane on endoplasmic reticulum disturbance. The nuclear envelope repairment, normal nuclear envelope physical properties, and lipid metabolism homeostasis are crucial for cell survival in the presence of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane. These findings provide new insights into the understanding and development of 3,3′-Diindolylmethane as an anti-cancer agent.