Expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 in prostate cancer DU145 cells and effect of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 ion channel agonist on cell proliferation and migration

Abstract

Objective To observe the expression of transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) in prostate cancer DU145 cells and the effect of TRPM8 agonist on cell proliferation and migration. Methods The expression levels of TRPM8 and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in prostate cancer tissue, adjacent prostate tissues and DU145 cells were detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. The effect of TRPM8 agonists menthol on proliferation and motility of DU145 cells were examined by MTT assay and scratch motility assay, and the effect of TRPM8 on cell cycle and apoptosis of DU145 cells was tested by flow cytometry detection. Results TRPM8 was significantly up-regulated, and no TRPA1 expression was detectable in prostate cancer DU145 cell. After treatment with 25, 50, 75 and 100 μmol/L menthol, DU145 relative cell number was significantly less than in the blank group [(90.01±8.52)% vs. (83.24±7.21)% vs. (71.23±6.45)% vs. (53.12±5.22)% vs. (100.00±3.26)%] (P<0.05). After treatment with 100 μmol/L menthol for 24, 48 and 72 h, the proportion of G0/G1 phase DU145 cells was significantly higher than the untreated [(60.98±7.21)% vs. (76.49±8.12)% vs. (72.03±7.65)% vs. (50.26±6.41)%] (P<0.05). After treatment with 100 μmol/L TRPM8 agonist for 24 h and 48 h, motility rate of DU145 cells was significantly lower than in the blank control group [(58.59±5.24)% vs. (48.09±4.23)% vs. (100.00±3.54)%](P<0.05). Conclusion The TRPM8 was over-expressed in prostate cancer DU145 cells. TRPM8 agonist can arrest cell cycle in G0/G1 phase, and inhibit proliferation and motility of tumor cells. Key words: Transient receptor potential melastatin 8; Prostate cancer; Proliferation; Motility