THE EFFECTS OF N-6 POLYUNSATURATED FATTY-ACIDS ON THE EXPRESSION OF NM-23 IN HUMAN CANCER-CELLS

This study examined the effect of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUF As) on the expression of nm-23, a metastasis-suppressor gene, in two h ighly invasive human cancer cell lines, HT115 and MDA MB 231. A range of n-6 and n-3 PUFAs were tested. We report that while linoleic acid a nd arachidonic acid reduced the expression of nm-23-H1, gamma linoleni c acid (GLA) and its soluble lithium salt markedly increased the expre ssion of the molecules. The stimulation of the expression of nm-23 by GLA was seen at both protein and mRNA levels. Up-regulation of nm-23 w as also associated with a reduction of the in vitro invasiveness of th ese cells. it is concluded that gamma linolenic acid (GLA) enhances th e expression of nm-23. This contributes to the inhibition of the in vi tro invasion of tumour cells.