Open Access

Prostaglandin E2 is the major prostaglandin involved in colorectal carcinogenesis. The biosynthesis of prostaglandin E2 is accomplished by several terminal prostaglandin E synthases through catalytical conversion of the cyclooxygenase product prostaglandin H2. Among the known terminal prostaglandin E synthases, microsomal prostaglandin E synthase type 1 and type 2 were found to be overexpressed in colorectal cancer, however the role and regulation of these enzymes in this tumor entity are yet not fully understood. Here we report that the cyclopentenone prostaglandins 15-deoxy-D12,14-prostaglandin J2 and prostaglandin A2, which have been shown to modulate cell growth and neoplasia, selectively down-regulate microsomal prostaglandin E synthase type 2 mRNA and protein expression in the human colorectal carcinoma cell lines Caco-2 and HCT 116. This effect appeared to be PPARgamma independent and was not found to require G-protein-coupled receptor activation. Instead, inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase type 2 by cyclopentenone prostaglandins may be mediated by covalent binding of the cyclopentenone ring to cysteine residues on signalling molecules or via a redox-dependent mechanism. Inhibition of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase type 2 was subsequently followed by decreased prostaglandin E synthase activity, which in turn contributed at least in part to the anti-proliferative action of cyclopentenone prostaglandins in HCT 116 cells. Collectively, these data unravel a novel mechanism for the growth-inhibitory effects of cyclopentenone prostaglandins and expose microsomal prostaglandin E synthase type 2 as a new potential target for pharmacological intervention in the treatment of colorectal cancer.