Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a prevalent and aggressive primary brain tumor, presenting substantial treatment challenges and high relapse rates. GBM is characterized by alterations in molecular signaling and enzyme expression within malignant cells. This tumor exhibits elevated nitric oxide (NO.) levels. NO. is a crucial signaling molecule involved in the regulation of neuronal functions, synaptic transmission, and cell proliferation. It is primarily synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzymes. The increased levels of NO. in GBM stem from dysregulated activity and expression of clinically relevant NOS isoforms, particularly inducible NOS (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS). Based on this knowledge, we hypothesize that targeted pharmacological intervention with N6-(1-iminoethyl)-L-lysine (L-NIL), an iNOS inhibitor, and 7-Nitroindazole (7-NI), an nNOS inhibitor, may suggest a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of GBM. To test our hypothesis, we utilized the U87-MG cell line as an in vitro model of GBM. Our results showed that treatment with L-NIL and 7-NI led to a reduction in NO. levels, NOS activity, and clonogenic proliferation in U87-MG cells. These findings suggest that NO. and NOS enzymes might be prospective therapeutic targets for GBM.
Original language | American English |
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Journal | Journal of Molecular Neuroscience |
DOIs | |
State | Accepted/In press - 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was funded by an Israeli Science Foundation (ISF) grant, an Eagles Autism Foundation grant, a National Institute of Psychobiology in Israel (NIPI) grant, an Israeli Council for Higher Education Maof grant, and a Berettler Centre for Research in Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics grant. The authors also thank the Satell Family and the Neubauer Family Foundation.
Funding Information:
The research was partially funded by an American Pharma Company under the terms of a Research and License agreement.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.
Keywords
- 7-NI
- Glioblastoma multiforme
- L-NIL
- Nitric oxide
- Nitric oxide synthase
- Treatment