Auraptene Inhibits Migration, Invasion and Metastatic Behavior of Human Malignant Glioblastoma Cells: an in Vitro and in Silico Study

Objective: The present work examined the anti-metastatic effects of auraptene and their underlying mechanisms of action in U87 Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. Materials and Methods: To test the hypothesis, cell culture, Matrigel invasion assay, scratch wound healing assay, gelatin zymography assay, qRT-PCR, and western blot analysis were conducted. Results: At sublethal concentrations of 12.5 and 25 mu g/ml, auraptene exhibited a significant reduction in cell invasion and migration of U87 cells, as assessed using scratch wound healing and Transwell tests, respectively. The qRT-PCR and zymography experiments demonstrated a significant decrease in both mRNA expression and activities of MMP-2 and MMP-9 following auraptene treatment. Western blot analysis also showed that the total protein level of MMP-2 as well as phosphorylation of crucial metastasis-related proteins, including p-JNK and p-mTOR, decreased in auraptene-treated cells. The molecular docking studies consistently demonstrated that auraptene exhibits a significant affinity towards MMP-2/-9, the ATP binding site of mTOR and JNK1/2/3. Conclusion: Auraptene effectively inhibited the migration and invasion of GBM cells. This inhibitory effect was induced by modulating specific mechanisms, including suppressing MMPs, JNK, and mTOR activities. Auraptene might serve as a potential anti-metastatic agent against malignant GBM.