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Epigallocatechin-3-gallate affects the growth of LNCaP cells via membrane fluidity and distribution of cellular zinc

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the viability, membrane properties, and zinc distribution, with and without the presence of Zn2+, in human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cells

Methods

We examined changes in cellular morphology and membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells, distribution of cellular zinc, and the incorporated portion of EGCG after treatments with EGCG, Zn2+, and EGCG+Zn2+.

Results

We observed an alteration in cellular morphology and a decrease in membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells after treatment with EGCG or Zn2+. The proportion of EGCG incorporated into liposomes treated with the mixture of EGCG and Zn2+ at the ratio of 1:1 was 90.57%, which was significantly higher than that treated with EGCG alone (30.33%). Electron spin resonance (ESR) studies and determination of fatty acids showed that the effects of EGCG on the membrane fluidity of LNCaP were decreased by Zn2+. EGCG accelerated the accumulation of zinc in the mitochondria and cytosol as observed by atomic absorption spectrometer.

Conclusion

These results show that EGCG interacted with cell membrane, decreased the membrane fluidity of LNCaP cells, and accelerated zinc accumulation in the mitochondria and cytosol, which could be the mechanism by which EGCG inhibits proliferation of LNCaP cells. In addition, high concentrations of Zn2+ could attenuate the actions elicited by EGCG.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310029, China

    Jun-guo Yang, Shi-li Sun, Lan-cui Zhang, Guo-qing He, Hui Ruan & Sheng-rong Shen

  2. College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, 310032, China

    Hai-ning Yu

  3. Tea Research Institute, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Shi-li Sun

  4. UND Life Sciences, 13800 Fairhill Road, #321, Shaker Heights, OH, 44120, USA

    Undurti N. Das

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  1. Jun-guo Yang
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  2. Hai-ning Yu
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  3. Shi-li Sun
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  4. Lan-cui Zhang
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  5. Guo-qing He
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  6. Undurti N. Das
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  7. Hui Ruan
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  8. Sheng-rong Shen
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Correspondence to Sheng-rong Shen.

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Project (No. 30470198) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China

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Yang, Jg., Yu, Hn., Sun, Sl. et al. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate affects the growth of LNCaP cells via membrane fluidity and distribution of cellular zinc. J. Zhejiang Univ. Sci. B 10, 411–421 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B0820400

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1631/jzus.B0820400

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