Antiproliferative activity of protein extracts from the black clam (Chione fluctifraga) on human cervical and breast cancer cell lines

Abstract

The wide diversity of the marine environment has been an important resource for the discovery of new bioactive agents from marine organisms. The aim of this study was to obtain protein extracts from the clam Chione fluctifraga and determine its antiproliferative activity against cervical and breast cancer cells. The extracts were obtained by ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography. Antiproliferative activity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT). The results showed that 3F3 had antiproliferative effect against HeLa and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with IC₅₀ values of 138.035 and 157.19 μg/ml, respectively, and 2F2 showed IC₅₀ values of 67.46 μg/ml on HeLa cells. These results suggest that protein extracts from C. fluctifraga might be potential anticancer agents.

Key words: Protein extracts, clam, antiproliferative activity, breast cancer, cervical cancer.