Marizomib (Salinosporamide A) Promotes Apoptosis in A375 and G361 Melanoma Cancer Cells

Abstract

Malignant melanoma—a tumor originating from melanocytes—is characterized by dynamic growth and frequent metastases in the early stage of development. Current therapy methods are still insufficient, and there is a need to search for new ways of treating this malady. The induction of apoptosis—physiological cell death—by proteasome inhibitors is recognized as an effective method of non-invasive elimination of cancer cells. In our research, we wanted to check the potential of marizomib (MZB, salinosporamide A, NPI-0052)—an irreversible proteasome inhibitor derived from the marine actinomycete Salinispora tropica—to induce apoptosis in A375 and G361 malignant melanoma cells. We determined the cytotoxic activity of marizomib by performing an MTT test. Ethidium bromide and acridine orange staining demonstrated the disruption of membrane integrity in the examined cell lines. We confirmed the proapoptotic activity of marizomib by flow cytometry with the use of an FITC-Annexin V assay. A Western blot analysis presented an increase in the expression of proteins related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress as well as markers of the apoptosis. The gathered findings suggest that marizomib induced the ER stress in the examined melanoma cancer cells and directed them towards the apoptosis pathway.