BmK CT and 125I-BmK CT suppress the invasion of glioma cells in vitro via matrix metalloproteinase-2

Chlorotoxin (CTX) is an established blocker of small-conductance Cl- channels and has previously been demonstrated to inhibit the invasion of glioma cells. Buthus martensii Karsch chlorotoxin-like toxin (BmK CT) is the first chlorotoxin-like peptide. The present study aimed to determine the inhibitory effect of BmK CT on the invasive ability of glioma cells, using a Transwell assay. BmK CT was subsequently radiolabeled with radionuclide I-125 and its activity was compared with BmK CT. Additionally, the underlying anti-invasive mechanism of BmK CT and I-125-BmK CT on glioma cells was investigated by ELISA and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). It was revealed that BmK CT and I-125-BmK CT were able to inhibit the invasion of glioma cells and that I-125-BmK CT was superior to BmK CT. Consistent with the results of the Transwell assay, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) secretion by glioma cells was significantly reduced following treatment with BmK CT or I-125-BmK CT (P<0.05). However, no significant differences in MMP-2 mRNA expression levels were identified by RT-qPCR (P>0.05). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that BmK CT and I-125-BmK CT reduced the invasion of glioma cells via downregulation of MMP-2 expression. However, inhibition of the invasion of glioma cells was not demonstrated at the mRNA level.