Rapid Cytotoxicity of Antimicrobial Peptide Tempoprin-1CEa in Breast Cancer Cells through Membrane Destruction and Intracellular Calcium Mechanism

Temporin-1CEa is an antimicrobial peptide isolated from the skin secretions of the Chinese brown frog (Rana chensinensis). We have previously reported the rapid and broad-spectrum anticancer activity of temporin-1CEa in vitro. However, the detailed mechanisms for temporin-1CEa-induced cancer cell death are still weakly understood. In the present study, the mechanisms of temporin-1CEa-induced rapid cytotoxicity on two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7, were investigated. The MTT assay and the LDH leakage assay indicated that one-hour of incubation with temporin-1CEa led to cytotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. The morphological observation using electronic microscopes suggested that one-hour exposure of temporin-1CEa resulted in profound morphological changes in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The membrane-disrupting property of temporin-1CEa was further characterized by induction of cell-surface exposure of phosphatidylserine, elevation of plasma membrane permeability and rapid depolarization of transmembrane potential. Moreover, temporin-1CEa evoked intracellular calcium ion and reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevations as well as collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential (Δφm). In summary, the present study indicates that temporin-1CEa triggers rapid cell death in breast cancer cells. This rapid cytotoxic activity might be mediated by both membrane destruction and intracellular calcium mechanism.