N-linoleyltyrosine resisted the growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the regulation of CB(1) and CB(2) involvement of PI3K and ERK pathways

Background: N-linoleyltyrosine (NITyr), one of the anandamide analogs, exerts activity via the endocannabinoid receptors (CB(1) and CB(2)), which showed anti-tumor effects in various tumors. Therefore, we speculated that NITyr might show anti-non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) effects via the CB(1) or CB(2) receptor. The purpose of the investigation was to reveal the anti-tumor ability of NITyr on A549 cells and its mechanisms. Methods: The viability of A549 cells was measured by MTT assay, and the cell cycle and apoptosis were both examined by flow cytometry; in addition, cell migration was tested by wound healing assay. Apoptosis-related markers were measured by immunofluorescence. The downstream signaling pathways (PI3K, ERK, and JNK) of CB(1) or CB(2) were examined through Western blotting. The expressions of CB(1) and CB(2) were detected by immunofluorescence. Finally, the AutoDock software was used to validate the binding affinity between the targets, such as CB(1) and CB(2,) with NITyr. Results: We found that NITyr inhibited cell viability, hindered the cell cycle, resulted in apoptosis, and inhibited migration. The CB(1) inhibitor, AM251, and the CB(2) inhibitor, AM630, weakened the aforementioned phenomenon. The immunofluorescence assay suggested that NITyr upregulated the expression of CB(1) and CB(2). Western blot analysis indicated that NITyr upregulated the expression of p-ERK, downregulated the expression of p-PI3K, and did not affect p-JNK expression. In conclusion, NITyr showed a role in inhibiting NSCLC through the activation of CB(1) and CB(2) receptors involved in PI3K and ERK pathways.