In HCT116 cells, AP-III-a4 induces cell death under hypoxia, and inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion by down-regulation of AKT and Bcl-xL expression. In Huh7 hepatocytes and HEK kidney cells, AP-III-a4 induces glucose uptake and inhibits phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) expression.
In vivo
In a HCT116-xenotransplanted zebrafish tumor xenograft model, AP-III-a4 (10 μM) inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion processes. In vivo, AP-III-a4 (10 μM) also causes downregulation of PEPCK expression and induction of glucose uptake, and inhibits adipogenesis and foam cell formation.