In this study, we investigated the effects of montiporyne A which was isolated from the stony coral Montipora species, on the proliferation of SK-MEL-2 human skin melanoma cells (mutant p53). Twenty-four hour treatment of montiporyne A inhibited the growth of melanoma cells and induced apoptotic cell death. This montiporyne A-induced apoptosis in the SK-MEL-2 cells was closely linked with the down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Montiporyne A treatment also caused a marked increase in the level of p21^WAF1/CIP1 protein in a p53-independent manner. Based on our data, montiporyne A can be considered as a good candidate for an effective chemotherapeutic agent inducing apoptosis of cancer cells, although further study will be needed to be confirm. (Cancer Prev Res 16, 141-146, 2011)

Keywords: Montiporyne A, Human skin cancer cells, Apoptosis