pMyc and pMax Peptides Nanosystems and the Potential Treatment of Prostate Cancer, In Vitro Assays

The Myc transcription factor and its associated Max protein have essential roles in the development of several types of cancers, including prostate cancer. They dimerize into a Myc–Max heterodimer and bind to DNA sequences known as enhancer boxes (E-box). Therefore, disrupting the binding of these E-boxes to derange transcription is a promising strategy for treating cancer. Using computational biology tools, we designed pMyc and pMax peptides from Myc and Max reference sequences and evaluated their ability to bind to E-boxes through an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). We then coupled them to AuNPs and evaluated their hemocompatibility and cytotoxic effects in three different prostate adenocarcinoma cell lines and a non-cancerous cell line The EMSA results suggested that the pMyc–pMax dimers bound to CMEs. The hemolysis test showed little hemolytic activity for the nanosystems (NS) at the three concentrations evaluated. The cell viability assays showed mixed results, depending on which cell line was being evaluated. Overall, the results suggest that NS with pMyc and pMax peptides might be suitable for further research regarding Myc-driven prostate adenocarcinomas.