Genistein modulates MMP-26 and estrogen receptor expression in endometrial cancer cells

Objective:To explore the mechanism of the estrogen-like effect of genistein by observing the expression of Matrix metalloproteinases-26(MMP-26)and ERa in human endometrial cancer cells(Ishikawa and HEC-1B)in vitro.Methods:The effect of genistein on MMP-26 and ERa expression was examined by western blot in cultured Ishikawa and HEC-1B cells.Additionally,the effects of genistein on ERa-ERE-luc and ERb-ERE-luc reporter gene expression in HEC-1B cells were analyzed by luciferase activity assays.Results:MMP-26 and ERa protein expression was down-regulated by genistein treatment in Ishikawa cell induced by high concentration E2,whereas MMP-26 and ERa protein expression was up-regulated by genistein treatment in Ishikawa cells induced by low concentration E2.Expression of the ERa-ERE-luc and ERb-ERE-luc reporter genes was significantly increased after E2 induction and was further up-regulated by genistein.Expression of ERa-ERE-luc and ERb-ERE-luc reporter genes decreased significantly following genistein treatment in high E2 concentrations,and increased significantly following genistein treatment in low E2 concentrations.Conclusions:Genistein showed estrogen-like effects in endometrial cancer cells and influenced estrogen receptor signaling by modulating ERa and ERb expression.