Fig. 6 | Scientific Reports

Fig. 6

From: Identification of novel small molecule inhibitors targeting multiple methyltransferase like proteins against hepatocellular carcinoma

Fig. 6

ZINC13000658 inhibits proliferation of liver cancer cells in in vitro. (A,B) Cell proliferation assays in SNU-449 and HepG2 cells show a clear dose-dependent inhibitory effect of ZINC13000658, with IC50 values determined from fitted curves (n = 4), indicating strong anti-proliferative activity. (C) Phase-contrast microscopy displays reduced confluency upon compound treatment, consistent with impaired growth. (D) Flow cytometry analysis reveals G1-phase cell cycle arrest after 48h treatment, suggesting cell cycle disruption as a key mechanism. (E) Hoechst 33,342 staining highlights nuclear condensation and fragmentation, confirming apoptotic cell death. (F) A schematic illustrates the proposed mode of action: ZINC13000658 interferes with SAM binding to METTL proteins, thereby inhibiting methylation-dependent pathways critical for hepatocellular carcinoma progression.

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