Citrus Flavone Tangeretin Inhibits CRPC Cell Proliferation by Regulating Cx26, AKT, and AR Signaling

Figure 6

Tangeretin increased Cx26 expression and facilitated AKT and AR signaling to promote GJIC function in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. (a) Tangeretin can significantly increase Cx26 expression in C4-2 cells. (b) Tangeretin can significantly increase Cx26 expression in Du145 cells. (c) Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that tangeretin can increase Cx26 expression (10 × 100). (d) Functional GJIC was detected using parachute assay in C4-2 cells (×200). (e) Functional GJIC was detected using parachute assay in Du145 cells (×200). (f) Cx26 overexpression can significantly inhibit the expression of AKT and AR in C4-2 cells. (g) Cx26 overexpression can reduce the viability of C4-2 cells as detected by MTS assay 72 h after transfection. (h) Representative western blotting images and quantification of Cx26, AKT, and AR protein expression in C4-2 cells and Cx26-overexpressing C4-2 cells. (i) Protein-protein interaction network of tangeretin and target genes following search tool for the retrieval of interacting genes/proteins analysis. Confidence score >0.4. compared with the control or the 0 group. Tan, tangeretin; Cx26, connexin 26; AKT, protein kinase B; AR, androgen receptor; and GJIC, gap junctional intercellular communication.

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