Enzymes and Coenzymes Research Update: Suihua University Study Reveals Antimicrobial Peptide Potential in Cancer Treatment

A groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at Suihua University has unveiled the potential of antimicrobial peptide CC34 as a therapeutic agent for treating gastric cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma. Funded by the Basic Research Support Program For Excellent Young Teachers in Provincial Undergraduate Universities in Heilongjiang Province and other organizations, the research explored the antibacterial activity, mechanism, and cytotoxicity of CC34 on various cancer cells. The findings indicate that CC34 exhibits high potency in inducing apoptosis and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation through a mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway.

Key Takeaways:

• The antimicrobial peptide CC34 demonstrated strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, with low hemolytic activity against mouse and chicken erythrocytes.
• CC34 inhibited biofilm formation and exhibited higher inhibitory activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
• The peptide significantly suppressed cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner and induced apoptosis in cancer cells.
• CC34 also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, inhibited Bcl-2 expression, and promoted Bax expression, leading to cell death.
• The study's results suggest that CC34 has a novel potential for cancer treatment and further research is warranted.

Statistics:

• The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of CC34 against Gram-negative bacteria was 8 μg/mL, while the MIC against Gram-positive bacteria was 4 μg/mL.
• The minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of CC34 against both types of bacteria was 16 μg/mL.
• CC34 exhibited a hemolytic activity of 5.6% against mouse erythrocytes and 2.1% against chicken erythrocytes.
• The biofilm inhibition activity of CC34 was 80% against Staphylococcus aureus and 90% against Escherichia coli.

Sources:

• Cationic antimicrobial peptide CC34 potential anticancer and apoptotic induction on cancer cells. Amino Acids, 2025, 57(1):1-13.
• https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.1007/s00726-025-03458-1
• Liqiang Dong, et al. "Cationic antimicrobial peptide CC34 potential anticancer and apoptotic induction on cancer cells." Amino Acids, vol. 57, no. 1, 2025, pp. 1-13.
• NewsRx. Study Findings from Suihua University Update Knowledge in Enzymes and Coenzymes (Cationic antimicrobial peptide CC34 potential anticancer and apoptotic induction on cancer cells). Life Science Weekly. June 10, 2025; p 6763.