Monensin is a metal ionophore used as anticancer agent in many types of cancer cells. In this study, therapeutic potential of monensin was evaluated in TFE3 translocated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) cell line UOK146. UOK146 cells were treated with different concentrations of monensin, and cell death was induced as shown by MTT assay. Autophagy was studied by LC3 western, FACS and LC3 puncta formation after monensin treatment. Mitochondrial potential was studied by staining with TMRM and FACS. Antimetastatic potential of monensin was checked by inhibition of wound closure and MMP7 expression at RNA level. Dead and floating cells after the 10 μM monensin treatment were observed under phase contrast microscope. FACS analysis following TMRM staining showed that mitochondrial membrane gets depolarized after monensin treatment. FACS analysis after acridine orange staining showed increased double positive (green and red) cells, and LC3 upregulation and increased LC3 punta displayed autophagy activation in UOK146 cell line after monensin treatment. These findings showed that monensin acts as antiproliferative agent, activating autophagy and downregulates PRCC-TFE3 fusion transcript in Xp11.2 translocated tumor cell line.
Keywords: Autophagy; MMP7; Monensin; RCC; UOK 146.