Title:Investigation of Apoptotic and Anticancer Effects of 2-substituted Benzothiazoles in Breast Cancer Cell Lines: EGFR Modulation and Mechanistic Insights
Volume: 25
Issue: 6
Author(s): Muhammed Mehdi Uremis*, Mustafa Ceylan and Yusuf Turkoz
Affiliation:
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Inonu University, Malatya, Turkey
Keywords:
Benzothiazole, EGFR, JAK/STAT, MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231.
Abstract:
Background and Objective: Benzothiazole derivatives, a class of heterocyclic compounds, exhibited
diverse biological activities influenced by substituents in the thiazole ring. This study aimed to synthesize these
compounds with two functional groups to investigate their potential as anticancer agents, particularly against
breast cancer. While previous research demonstrated the efficacy of 2-substituted benzothiazoles against glioma
and cervical and pancreatic cancer cells, there is a gap in studies targeting breast cancer.
Methods: The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro using MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, and MCF-10A cell
lines, with Doxorubicin as the positive control. Various assays were conducted, including Annexin V/PI, cell
cycle analysis, wound healing, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. Protein expression of
EGFR and transcription levels of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-xL) and cancer progression-related genes
(JAK, STAT3, ERK, AKT, mTOR) were analyzed. Additionally, the balance between antioxidants and oxidants
was evaluated by measuring TAS and TOS levels.
Results: Our findings revealed that benzothiazole compounds significantly inhibited breast cancer cell growth by
reducing cell motility, disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential, and inducing cell cycle arrest in the sub-G1
phase. These compounds increased reactive oxygen species accumulation, leading to cell death. Furthermore,
they decreased EGFR protein levels, increased Bax gene transcription, and downregulated the expression of
genes such as JAK, STAT3, ERK, AKT, and mTOR.
Conclusion: In conclusion, benzothiazole derivatives exhibited potent inhibitory effects on breast cancer in vitro
by promoting apoptosis, downregulating EGFR activity, and modulating key signaling pathways, including
JAK/STAT, ERK/MAPK, and PI3K/Akt/mTOR. These results highlighted the potential of benzothiazole derivatives
as novel therapeutic agents for breast cancer treatment.