Mitocans induce lipid flip-flop and permeabilize the membrane to signal apoptosis.

ABSTRACT: Pancratistatin (PST) and narciclasine (NRC) are natural therapeutic agents that exhibit specificity toward the mitochondria of cancerous cells and initiate apoptosis. Unlike traditional cancer therapeutic agents, PST and NRC are effective, targeted, and have limited adverse effects on neighboring healthy, noncancerous cells. Currently, the mechanistic pathway of action for PST and NRC remains elusive, which in part inhibits PST and NRC from becoming efficacious therapeutic alternatives. Herein, we use neutron and x-ray scattering in combination with calcein leakage assays to characterize the effects of PST, NRC, and tamoxifen (TAM) on a biomimetic model membrane. We report an increase in lipid flip-flop half-times (t_1/2) (≈12.0%, ≈35.1%, and a decrease of ≈45.7%) with 2 mol perc

SUBMITTER: Castillo SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10257148 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature