Modification of Rapana thomasiana hemocyanin with choline amino acid salts significantly enhances its antiproliferative activity against MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Abstract

This is the first study on the interactions of ionic liquids with large metalloproteins, in particular hemocyanins (Hcs). At first, complexes of a Hc from Rapana thomasiana (RtH) with a series of biocompatible choline amino acid salts [Chol][AA] were obtained. Applying UV-vis spectroscopy, Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry the effect of these organic salts on the structure and thermal stability of RtH was assessed. Then, the cytotoxic effect of RtH–[Chol][AA] on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and 3T3 fibroblast cells (non cancerous) was evaluated. We found that all [Chol][AA] induced clear time- and concentration-dependent alterations in the RtH conformation. The conformation and the thermal stability of IL-modified RtH depend strongly on the type of the anion of the tested compounds. All [Chol][AA]-modified RtHs exhibited lower thermal stability than the native RtH. At the same time, we established a good correlation between the structure of RtH and its antitumor activity. Namely, RtH–[Chol][AA] complexes exhibited enhanced antiproliferative activity toward the MCF-7 cell line. The observed antiproliferative effect was cell specific and the compounds have no effect or in some cases have stimulatory effect on fibroblasts.