Rosmarinic Acid Influences The Expression of Glycoforms in DLD-1 and HT-29 Colon Cancer Cells

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is polyphenolic compound with beneficial, health-promoting effects. Due to limited studies regarding the influence of RA on colon cancer cells, we examined how this acid influences selected glycoforms, enzymes participating in their formation and Gal-3, Akt, p53 in DLD-1 and HT-29 colon cancer cell lines. To determine the expression of studied factors, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and ELISA tests were applied. We revealed inhibitory effect of RA in both cell lines on MUC1, ppGalNAcT2, ST6GalNAcT1, C1GalT1, Cosmc, ST3GalT1, FUT3/4, Gal-3, and Akt mRNAs. p53 mRNA was increased. Moreover, we observed the suppression of Tn, T antigen as well as C1GalT1 and pAkt protein expression as the result of RA action. Apart from that, in HT-29 colon cancer cells, rosmarinic acid inhibited MUC1 extracellular domain, sialyl Tn, sialyl T, fucosylated antigens, and Gal-3 expression. p53 protein was elevated upon RA action. In DLD-1 cancer cells, RA diminished the expression of sialyl Tn in culture medium and sialyl T in cell lysates. The data suggest potential usefulness of RA as a complementary agent supporting chemotherapy in colon in cancer treatment.