N-linoleyltyrosine resisted the growth of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the regulation of CB 1 and CB 2 involvement of PI3K and ERK pathways

Background: N-linoleyltyrosine (NITyr), one of the anandamide analogs, exerts activity via the endocannabinoid receptors (CB 1 and CB 2 ), which showed anti-tumor effects in various tumors. Therefore, we speculated that NITyr might show anti-non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) effects via the CB 1 or CB 2 receptor. The purpose of the investigation was to reveal the anti-tumor ability of NITyr on A549 cells and its mechanisms. Methods: The viability of A549 cells was measured by MTT assay, and the cell cycle and apoptosis were both examined by flow cytometry; in addition, cell migration was tested by wound healing assay. Apoptosis-related markers were measured by immunofluorescence. The downstream signaling pathways (PI3K, ERK, and JNK) of CB 1 or CB 2 were examined through Western blotting. The expressions of CB 1 and CB 2 were detected by immunofluorescence. Finally, the AutoDock software was used to validate the binding affinity between the targets, such as CB 1 and CB 2, with NITyr. Results: We found that NITyr inhibited cell viability, hindered the cell cycle, resulted in apoptosis, and inhibited migration. The CB 1 inhibitor, AM251, and the CB 2 inhibitor, AM630, weakened the aforementioned phenomenon. The immunofluorescence assay suggested that NITyr upregulated the expression of CB 1 and CB 2 . Western blot analysis indicated that NITyr upregulated the expression of p-ERK, downregulated the expression of p-PI3K, and did not affect p-JNK expression. In conclusion, NITyr showed a role in inhibiting NSCLC through the activation of CB 1 and CB 2 receptors involved in PI3K and ERK pathways.