Investigation of molecular mechanism of the effects occuring with Maackia amurensis lectin treatment on thyroid cancer

Lectins are bioactive molecules and have highly important roles in various cellular process. They can bind specifically and irreversibly to free sugars and sugar residues of polysaccharides, glycolipids and glycoproteins and are found in almost all organisms. The biological properties of plant lectins known as phytohemagglutinin as well and their effects on normal and malignant cells and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the action have been subjected to many researches. Although it is known that Maackia amurensis leukoagglutin II (MAL), which is obtained from Amur Tree, decreases the tumorigenic and malignant capabilities of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells, the molecular mechanism of these action has not been known yet. In this study, it was planned to investigate the possible molecular mechanisms playing role in suppressing malignant and tumorigenic characteristics of anaplastic thyroid cancer cells through the treatment of MAL. For this purpose, whole transcriptome analysis was performed using Illumina next generation sequencing technology by using cDNA libraries obtained from total RNA isolates of 8505C anaplastic thyroid cancer cells treated with 0.25 µM MAL-II during 24 hours. Gene expression profile of MAL treated anaplastic thyroid cancer cells showed significant changes in the expression of various genes related to the tumorigenic and malignant characteristics of cancer cells such as LGR5, GPC5, PTGFR, CHFR, CTNNA3. Our findings indicated that the genes detected changings in expression patterns found to be associated with Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which is an important signal transduction pathway in development, proliferation, stem cell control and carcinogenesis. Besides, G-protein-mediated receptor signalling processes that regulate various intracellular signals in response to hormones, mitogens, neurotransmitters, ions, photons and other stimuli have also been found to be affected. Our data pointed out that MAL-II is an effective bioactive molecule for the suppression of the tumorigenic and malignant characteristics of anaplastic thyroid cancer. In addition, our findings indicate that MAL-II has a significant potential for candidate molecules that can be used in the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer. However, in order to elucidate specific mechanisms for the effect of MAL on anaplastic thyroid cancer cells, the functionality of the related genes and pathways needs to be tested by conventional methods.