Concanavalin A inhibits human liver cancer cell migration by regulating F-actin redistribution and assembly via MAPK signaling pathway

Concanavalin A (Con A), the first and most typical representative of the legume lectin family, has a potent anti-liver cancer effect by inducing cell apoptosis and autophagy. However, its function in human liver cancer cell migration remains unclear. The present study investigated the effect of Con A on the viability and migration of human liver cancer cells with different metastatic abilities. It was found that Con A could reduce the viability of human liver cancer cells (HCCLM3, MHCC97L and HepG2) and human hepatocytes (MIHA). In addition, Con A could inhibit human liver cancer cell migration specifically without affecting hepatocytes. Sugar inhibition assay showed that glucose-related sugar binding sites played an important role in the inhibition of Con A on human liver cancer cell migration. In addition, Con A could affect HCCLM3 migration by activating ERK1/2, JNK1/2/3 and p38 signaling in the MAPK pathway. Moreover, Con A could regulate fibrous actin (F-actin) redistribution and assembly via the MAPK signaling pathway. However, Con A had no significant effect on the activation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in HCCLM3 cells. In conclusion, Con A may bind to glucose-related receptor protein, activating ERK1/2, JNK1/2/3 and p38 signaling in the MAPK pathway, further contracting cells and reducing the content of F-actin of single cells to inhibit HCCLM3 cell migration. These results would deepen the links between human liver cancer cell migration and related glycoproteins or signaling molecules, and may provide a new perspective for Con A as a potential anticancer agent.