CD147 Is Involved in Tanshinone IIA-Induced Reprogramming of the Warburg Effect in Prostate Cancer Cells.

INTRODUCTION

Cancer cells exhibit metabolic characteristics known as the Warburg effect, which is aerobic glycolysis. Tan IIA, a compound from Salvia miltiorrhiza, has antitumor effects, but its impact on prostate cancer metabolism is not fully understood.

METHODS

The effects of Tan IIA on prostate cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. Glucose metabolism was evaluated by measuring glycolysis-related metabolic changes and the expression levels of key metabolic enzymes. The underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated by analyzing the AKT/mTOR/ HIF-1α signaling pathway and the role of CD147.

RESULTS

Tan IIA significantly suppressed prostate cancer cell proliferation and induced apoptosis by inhibiting glucose metabolism. Treatment with Tan IIA downregulated hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression via blockade of the AKT/mTOR signaling cascade. This resulted in reduced expression levels of critical glycolytic regulators, including glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and hexokinase 2 (HK2). Furthermore, CD147 silencing impaired glycolysis, an effect potentiated by Tan IIA, suggesting a mechanism involving CD147 inhibition.

DISCUSSION: Tan IIA disrupts the glycolytic pathway in prostate cancer cells by suppressing the activity of the AKT/mTOR/HIF-1α axis and potentially through CD147 modulation

Conclusion

In summary, these results establish Tan IIA as a potential antitumor compound worthy of further preclinical investigation that exerts its antitumor activity by targeting the unique metabolic dependencies of prostate cancer.