Induction of Apoptosis in HeLa Cells by a Novel Peptide from Fruiting Bodies of Morchella importuna via the Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway.

Chuan Xiong,Chia Wei Phan,Ping Li,Wenli Huang,Qiang Li,Xin Jin,Qiang Luo,Tao Hu

doi:10.1155/2021/5563367

Abstract

Morels (Morchella spp.) are a genus of edible fungi with important economic and medicinal value. In this study, a novel peptide (MIPP) was extracted from the fruiting bodies of Morchella importuna using gel filtration chromatography. Structural analysis showed that the molecular mass of MIPP is 831 Da, and it has a simple amino acid sequence: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Ser-Val-Ala-Arg. To explore the antitumor activity of MIPP, the effect of MIPP on HeLa cell apoptosis and the underlying preventative mechanisms were investigated. Results showed that MIPP reduced the viability of HeLa cells in a concentration-dependent manner. TUNEL analysis and flow cytometric examination showed that MIPP decreased cell proliferation via a mitochondrial-dependent pathway, as manifested by downregulation of Bcl-2/Bax, promotion of the movement of cytochrome C from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, and triggering of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Therefore, MIPP may be a promising tumor-preventive agent, especially in human cervical cancer.

Highlights

Higher fungi are a very productive source of compounds with biological activity, producing a variety of primary and secondary metabolites. is gives them great potential with regard to drug discovery and development [1]
The M. importuna (MIPP) peptide was obtained by LC-mass spectrometry (MS)-MS analysis of the B4 component. e relative molecular weight of MIPP was 831 Da, and the compound consisted of 8 amino acids. e amino acid sequence composition was as follows: Ser-Leu-Ser-Leu-Ser-Val-Ala-Arg (Figure 1(c))
To determine whether MIPP prompted apoptosis of HeLa cells via a mitochondrial-dependent pathway, we investigated changes in mitochondrial membrane potential (Figure 6) and cytochrome C liberation (Figure 7)

Summary

Introduction

Higher fungi are a very productive source of compounds with biological activity, producing a variety of primary and secondary metabolites. is gives them great potential with regard to drug discovery and development [1]. Higher fungi are a very productive source of compounds with biological activity, producing a variety of primary and secondary metabolites. Studies have confirmed that polysaccharides, polyphenols, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and other bioactive substances can be isolated from fruiting bodies, cultured mycelium, and the mycelial fermentation media of fungi [2, 3]. Polyphenols [4] and flavonoids [5] derived from fungi are excellent free radical scavenging agents. Fungal polysaccharides are considered to be the most active fungal components, attracting much attention due to their antitumor, antioxidation, and immune regulatory activities [6]. In terms of the nutritional content of mushrooms, we demonstrated that mushrooms are rich in protein, chitin, vitamins, and minerals. There is currently little research focused on the efficacy of mushroom proteins or peptides

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