BioScience Trends. 2016;10(3):181-187. (DOI: 10.5582/bst.2016.01036)

Cloning, expression and cytotoxicity of granulin A, a novel polypeptide contained in human progranulin.

Wang X, Xu HL, Chen XL, Tian Y, Wang FS, Lin XK

In our previous study, we isolated an antitumor polypeptide, CS5931, from the sea squirt Ciona savignyi; it shares high homology with Ciona intestinalis Granulin A (GRN A). However, little is known about the anticancer effect of GRN A. In the present study, GRN A was cloned and expressed in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The polypeptide was purified to almost homogeneity using a Ni-NTA column. MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5- diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide] assay reveals that GRN A displays potent cytotoxicity to several human cancer cells. The polypeptide induces cell apoptosis as analyzed by morphological observation and flow cytometry assays. This study provides evidence that GRN A possesses potential to be developed as a novel anticancer agent.

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