Effect of 2,5-dimethylphenol on Ca2+ movement and viability in PC3 human prostate cancer cells

AbstractThe phenolic compound 2,5-dimethylphenol is a natural product. 2,5-Dimethylphenol has been shown to affect rat hepatic and pulmonary microsomal metabolism. However, the effect of 2,5-dimethylphenol on Ca2+ signaling and cyotoxicity has never been explored in any culture cells. This study explored the effect of 2,5-dimethylphenol on cytosolic free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) and cell viability in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. 2,5-Dimethylphenol at concentrations between 500 μM and 1000 μM evoked [Ca2+]i rises in a concentration-dependent manner. This Ca2+ signal was inhibited by approximately half by the removal of extracellular Ca2+. 2,5-Dimethylphenol-induced Ca2+ influx was confirmed by Mn2+-induced quench of fura-2 fluorescence. Pretreatment with the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X, nifedipine or the store-operated Ca2+ entry inhibitors (econazole or SKF96365) inhibited 2,5-dimethylphenol-induced Ca2+ signal in Ca2+-containing medium by ∼30%. Treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2...