Study on regulating mechanisms of oxocrebanine obtained from Stephania hainanensis H.S.Lo et Y.Tsoong on microtubule sites and tubulin in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells

Objective:To determine the destructive ability of oxocrebanine,an anti-breast cancer active compound obtained from Stephania hainanensis H.S.Lo et Y.Tsoong,on microtubule network,and investigate the effect of oxocrebanine on microtubule network homeostasis at both molecular and cellular levels.Methods:the EBI site competition method and molecular docking method were used to determine the occupation of the microtubule site of oxocrebanine.Western Blot was used to detect the effect of oxocrebanine on microtubule-associated proteins including STAT3,PAK1,CAMK4,and PKA.Results:The results of EBI site competition assay showed that the binding of EBI toβ-Tubulin covalent fusions produced adducts that appeared in regions of lower molecular weight thanβ-tubulin(ctrl 2).Molecular docking results showed that oxocrebanine could occupy the colchicine site of microtubule proteins.As revealed by Western Blot,the expression of STAT3 protein was decreased after MCF-7 cells have been treated with low,medium,and high concentration of oxocrebanine or the positive drug taxol for 48 h(P<0.01).The expression levels of PAK1 and Camk4 proteins aslo showed significant reductions(P<0.05,or P<0.01).Oxocrebanine also decreased the PKA protein in MCF-7 cells compared to the control group(P<0.01).Conclusions:Oxocrebanine,a ligand that binds at the colchicine site of tubulin,perturbs tubulin polymerization and causes mitosis in MCF-7 cells,thus leading to MCF-7 cell death.Oxocrebanine may promote microtubule dynamics through stathmin by inhibiting the expression levels of STAT3,PAK1,Camk4,and PKA proteins in MCF-7 cells.Oxocrebanine interfers with spindle formation,and ultimately causes mitotic catastrophe in MCF-7 cells.

Investigation of Methylation Profiles of TP53, Caspase 9, Caspase 8, Caspase 3 Genes Treated with DNA Methyl Transferase Inhibitor (DNMTi) Zebularine (ZEB) and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Purpose: MCF-7 (ER+, WTP53) and MDA-MB-231 (ER Met, Mutant P53) Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) and DNA Methyl Transferase Inhibitor (DNMTi) in breast cancer cell lines of Zebularine (ZEB) single and combined application of TP53, caspase-9, caspase 8 and caspase-3 genes as a result of the use of single and combined drug methylation profiles are aimed to be evaluated by specific PCR method. Material-Metods: In the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, MTT test and survival analysis were performed as a result of single and combined application of CAPE and Zebularine and Methylation Specific PCR was performed to examine the methylation of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and TP53 genes. Results: According to the results of 24-hour drug administration, the IC50 for the MCF-7 cell line was determined as 200 μM, for CAPE 40 μM and for the combined values of 50 μM ZEB + 5 μM CAPE. The effects of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9 and TP53 genes on the methylation level of ZEB, CAPE and ZEB + CAPE drug combination were determined by using bisulfite modified DNAs in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Discussion: In the MCF-7 cell line, the 120 μM ZEB viability rate was 51%, and the viability of 80 μM ZEB MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells decreased by 59.7%. After 20 μM CAPE, viability in MCF-7 cells decreased by 31% in 120 μM CAPE and MDA-MB-231 cells decreased by 41%. The viability with 40 μM CAPE decreased by 19% in MDA-MB-231 cells. It was found that 20 μM CAPE concentration was associated with TP53 methylation in MCF-7 cell lines. The 80 μM ZEB concentration was found to be closely related to the unmethylated status of the TP53 gene. These results obtained with 50 μM ZEB + 5 μM CAPE application were found to be related to the methylated-unmetylated status of the TP53 gene in half (50%). For the caspase-9 gene of MDA-MB-231 cells, 80 μM ZEB concentration was found to be associated with unmetylated status. The effective use of drugs with low concentrations of the drug dose provides a more appropriate approach in terms of treatment.

The Evaluation of the Effects of Temozolomide on MGMT Gene Expression in MCF-7 and SKBR3 Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Background and Aim: In this study, it was aimed to examine the cytotoxic effect of temozolomide (TMZ) treatment, on MCF-7 and SKBR3 cell lines, to study the methylation levels of MGMT gene expression and gene promoter region. Methods: The MTT test was performed to determine the effective dose of TMZ. The time-dependent cell survival test was performed after the IC50 value was found. Western blotting was performed to determine MGMT gene expression levels. High Resolution Melting (HRM) technique was used to determine the methylation levels of MGMT gene promoter region. Results: TMZ has been shown to have a high cytotoxic effect on SKBR3 cell line and low cytotoxicity on MCF-7. When MGMT expression levels before and after TMZ treatment were observed by western blotting, the gene expression levels of TMZ treatment were shown to decrease in both cell lines. It was observed that MGMT gene promoter region was hypermethylated in two cell lines, and that the application of TMZ further increased the methylation levels in the promoter region. Conclusions: It was seen that TMZ could be used as a single agent in SKBR-3 cell line. With this study on breast cancer, it is expected that temozolomide treatment will lead future in vitro and in vivo studies for breast cancer.

Anticancer property of sediment actinomycetes against MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines

Objective:To investigate the anticancer property of marine sediment actinomvceles against two different breast cancer cell lines.Methods:In vitro anticancer activity was carried out against breast(MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231)cancer cell lines.Partial sequences of the 16s rRNA gene,phylogenetic tree construction,multiple sequence analysis and secondary structure analysis were also carried out with the actinomycetes isolates.Results:Of the selected five actinomycete isolates,ACT01 and ACT02 showed the IC_(50)value with(10.13±0.92)and(22.34±5.82)μg/mL concentrations,respectively for MCF-7 cell line at 48 h,but ACT01 showed the minimum(18.54±2.49μg/mL)level of IC_(50)value with MDA-MB-231 cell line.Further,the 16s rRNA partial sequences of ACT01,ACT02,ACT03,ACT04 and ACT05 isolates were also deposited in NCBI data bank with the accession numbers of GQ478246,GQ478247,GQ478248,GQ478249 and GQ478250.respectively.The phylogenetic tree analysis showed that,the isolates of ACT02 and ACT03 were represented in groupⅠandⅢ,respectively,but ACT01 and ACT02 were represented in groupⅡ.The multiple sequence alignment of the actinomycete isolates showed that,the maximum identical conserved regions were identified with the nucleotide regions of 125 to 221st base pairs,65 to 119th base pairs and 55,48 and 31st base pairs.Secondary structure prediction of the 16s rRNA showed that,the maximum free energy was consumed with ACT03 isolate(-45.4 kkal/mol)and the minimum free energy was consumed with ACT04 isolate(-57.6 kkal/mol).Conclusions:The actinomycete isolates of ACT01 and ACT02(GQ478246 and GQ478247)which are isolated from sediment sample can be further used as anticancer agents against breast cancer cell lines.

Hesperidin as a preventive resistance agent in MCF-7 breast cancer cells line resistance to doxorubicin

Objective:To evaluate of hesperidin to overcome resistance of doxorubicin in MCF-7 resistant doxorubicin cells(MCF-7/Dox)in cytotoxicity apoptosis and P-glycoprotein(Pgp)expression in combination with doxorubicin.Methods:The cytotoxic properties.50%inhibition concentration(IC_(50))and its combination with doxorubicin in MCF-7 cell lines resistant to doxorubicin(MCF-7/Dox)cells were determined using MTT assay.Apoptosis induction was examined by double staining assay using ethidium bromide-acridine orange.Immunocytochemistry assay was performed to determine the level and localization of Pgp.Results:Single treatment of hesperidin showed cytotoxic activity on MCF-7/Dox cells with IC_(50)value of 11μmol/L.Thus,combination treatment from hesperidin and doxorubicin showed addictive and antagonist effect(CI>1.0).Hesperidin did not increase the apoptotic induction,but decreased the Pgp expressions level when combined with doxorubicin in low concentration.Conclusions:Hesperidin has cytotoxic effect on MCF-7/Dox cells with IC_(50)of 11μmol/L.Hesperidin did not increased the apoptotic induction combined with doxorubicin.Cochemotherapy application of doxorubicin and hesperidin on MCF-7/Dox cells showed synergism effect through inhibition of Pgp expression.

A Variant of Human Estrogen Receptor-α,hER-α36 Weakens Docetaxel Drug Efficacy against Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Objective： hER-α36 is a variant of estrogen receptor-a, identified and cloned by a team of American. This research is to determine whether hER-α36 can enhance or weaken chemosensitivity to docetaxel in breast cancer cell line MCF-7（ERα66 positive）. Methods： RT-PCR was used to detect the expressions of ERα66 and ERa36 in the two human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7（MCF-7/ERα66） and MCF-7 transfected with ERa36（MCF-7/ERα36）. The two cell lines were treated with docetaxel（0-100umol/L）, and cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated using MTT （3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl）-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide） assay （using adriamycin （0-50umol/L） as the control） and flowcytometry. Western blot analysis was used to measure the effect of docetaxel on phosphor-ERKl/2 expression in the two cell lines. Results： The expressions of ERct36 and ERα66 were detectable in both MCF-7/ERα66 and MCF-7/ERα36 cell lines, while the expression of ERα36 in MCF-7/ER36 cells was higher. Both docetaxel and adriamycin inhibited the proliferation of both cells lines in a dose and time dependent manner. In comparison with MCF-7/ERα36 cell line, the MCF-7/ERα66 cells produced greater growth inhibition and apoptosis after treatment with docetaxel, but there was no significant difference in growth inhibition between the two cell lines treated with adriamycin; The MCF-7/ERα36 cell line resulted in a significant activation （phosphorylation） of ERK1/2 after treatment with docetaxel in a dose-dependent manner, but in the MCF-7/ERα66 cell line , a decrease in the level of phosphor- ERK1/2 expression was observed as the dose of docetaxel increased. Conclusion： ERa36 may be an agent that weakens chemosensitivity to docetaxel in breast cancer, probably by activating the expression of ERKI/2.

Inhibition of cell proliferation by siRNA targeting hPRLR in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line

Objective： To study the inhibition of proliferation of breast cancer by small interfering RNA（siRNA） targeting human prolactin （hPRLR） and the underlying mechanisms. Methods：The siRNA targeting hPRLR was chemically synthesized and transfected into MCF-7 cells, the expression of hPRLR was analyzed by real-time quantitive PCR, cell growth inhibition was measured with MTT assay, cell cycle of the transfected cells was examined by flow cytometry, meanwhile, expression of cyclin D1 was tested by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Results：24 h after transfection with 100 nmol/L siRNA-PRLR, the expression of hPRLR mRNA was suppressed by 65%, cells in G1 phase increased, but cells in S phase decreased. Down regulated hPRLR expression exhibited significant inhibition in cell proliferation. And the expression of cyclin D 1 was down regulated. Conclusion：The results indicate that siRNA-hPRLR is a useful tool for silencing hPRLR expression and inhibiting cell proliferation in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line, and it may be a possible new approach for breast cancer gene therapy.

Cytotoxic Activity of <i>Thelesperma megapotamicum</i>Organic Fractions against MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cell Line

Thelesperma megapotamicum (Asteraceae) is commonly used in Argentine to treat various diseases (renal, digestive affections, and as anaesthesia). The present study showed the mechanisms involved “in vitro” cytotoxicity of T. megapotamicum Fractions. Five Fractions (F1 - F5) were separated by column chromatography (Silica gel) using hexane:diethyl ether as eluents. Viability was evaluated in Human breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) by staining with crystal violet. With respect to F1 Fraction treatment, the cell survival was 49.14% ± 8.87%, while the F2 and F3 ones exhibited a strong reduction of cell viability to only 26.35% ± 1.63% and 23.3%1 ± 0.53% of the control cell at 50 μg/ml, respectively. Apoptotic effect of these Fractions was detected using FITC-labeled Annexin V and propidium iodide binding assays and was confirmed by a higher proportion of apoptotic cells due to F2 and F3 treatments. T. megapotamicum active Fractions could facilitate the tumoral cells death by decreasing the activity of the enzyme Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase and causing alteration in cell membrane sialoglycoconjugates and others involved anticancer mechanisms including apoptosis.

Triple Effect of Doxorubicin, 5-Fluorouracil, Propranolol on Cell Survival on MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line

Purpose: Investigating the triple effect of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, propranolol on MCF-7 (ER+, WTp53) breast cancer cell line with MTT test and survival analysis. Materials/Methods: In order to determine effective dosages of a combination of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, propranolol on the MCF-7 cell line by using MTT and survival analysis technique. Result: IC50 values acquired by MTT tests are 0.01 mg/ml for doxorubicin, 6 mg/ml for 5-fluorouracil, 30 mg/ml for propranolol and 0.2/1/30 mg/ml (with previous respect) if all three agents are combined. It is found that the use of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and propranolol in combination is much effective than their single application. Discussion: Moderate concentrations of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and propranolol, if they are applied individually, showed high toxicity. When we used these drugs in combination;toxic effects lessened with respect to monotherapy. In the MCF-7 cell line, doxorubicin (IC50: 0.01 μM) increases cell death rates significantly and propranolol (IC50: 3 μM) has minimum effects in monotherapy in contrast to others. Propranolol is only superior to itself in combination therapy (IC50: 4 μM). However 5-fluorouracil (IC50: 30 μM) showed antagonistic effects with respect to other drugs. Additionally, having applied the three drugs in combination on the MCF-7 cell line for the first time in literature, it is highly possible to assess the application of doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil and propranolol combination as a novel therapy option.

REVERSION OF MULTIDRUG RESISTANCE IN THE P-GLYCOPROTEIN POSITIVE BREAST CANCER CELL LINE(MCF-7/ADR) BY INTRODUCTION OF HAMMERHEAD RIBOZYME

A hammerhead ribozyme which site-specifically cleaved the GUC position in canon 880 of the mdr1 mRNA was designed. The target site was chosen between the two ATP binding sites, which may be important for the function of the P-Gp as an ATP-dependent pump. A DNA sequence encoding the ribozyme gene was then incorporated into a eukaryotic expression vector (pH Apr-1 neo) and transfected into the breast cancer cell line MCF-7/Adr, which is resistant to adriamycin and expresses the MDR phenotype. The ribozyme was stably expressed in the cell line by the RNA dot blotting assay. The result of Northern blot assay showed that the expressed ribozyme could decrease the level of mdrl mRNA expression by 83. 5 %; and the expressed ribozyme could inhibite the formation of p-glycoprotein detected by immuno- cy-tochemistry assay and could reduce the cell’s resistance to adrimycin; this means that the resistant cells were 1 000-fold more resistant than the parental cell line(MCF-7), whereas those cell clones that showed ribozyme expression were only 6-fold more resistant than the parental cell line. These results show that a potentially useful tool is at hand which may inactivate MDR1 mRNA and revert the multidrug resistance phenotype.

雷公藤内酯醇通过调控miR-142-3p/HSP70通路抑制人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移

目的:探究雷公藤内酯醇(TP)通过miR-142-3p/HSP70信号通路对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞恶性生物学行为的影响。方法:常规培养MCF-7细胞,将其分为6组:对照组、TP组、miR-142-3p inhibitor组、TP+inhibitor组、miR-142-3p mimic组和TP+mimic组,用转染试剂将相应的核酸或质粒转染MCF-7细胞。qPCR法、EdU细胞增殖实验、Transwell小室实验、细胞划痕实验、WB法分别检测转染后各组MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70 mRNA的表达,MCF-7细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移能力和HSP70蛋白表达水平。结果:TP或miR-142-3p过表达能显著促进MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70的表达,敲减miR-142-3p则可明显抑制MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70的表达,TP可逆转由敲减miR-142-3p对MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70表达的影响;TP、过表达miR-142-3p均可明显抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力(均P<0.05),敲减miR-142-3p则均可促进MCF-7细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力(均P<0.05),TP可逆转由敲减miR-142-3p对MCF-7细胞恶性生物学行为的影响(均P<0.05)。结论:TP可通过调控miR-142-3p/HSP70信号通路,进而抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移能力。

Cytotoxicity screening of Melastoma malabathricum extracts on human breast cancer cell lines in vitro

Objective:To screen the cytotoxic activity of Melasloma malabathricum(M,malubathricum)against human breast carreer cell line(MCF-7)in vitro.Methods:A three steps extraction protocol using n-hexane,chloroform and methanol as the solvents systems was carried out on leaves,stems and flowers of M.nalabathricum.Dimethyl sulfoxide was used in extracts dilution and serial dilutions were conducted to obtain five different extract concentrations(100μg/mL,50μg/mL,25μg/mL,123μg/rnL and 6.25μg/mL).The evaluation of cell growth was determined using methylene blue assay.Results:Methanol extract from the leaves showed significant anticancer activity against MCF-7cell lines with the TC_(50)value of 7.14μg/ml while methanol and chloroform extract from the flowers exhibited a moderate activity towards MCF-7 cell line,with the IC_(50)value of 33.63μg/mL and 45.76μg/mL respectively after 72 h of treatment.Conclusions:The extracts from leaves and flowers of M.nulabatkricum showed promising anticancer activity toward human breast cancer cell lines with the lowest IC_(50)at 7.14μg/mL while the extracts from stems showed less growth inhibition activity.

Dietary Daidzein Enhances Antiapoptotic Effect of 17β-Estradiol (E_2) on Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

Objective： To investigate whether dietary daidzein interact with endogenous 17β-Estradiol （E2） to give rise to additive or inhibitory effects on proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Methods： Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction were analyzed by using flow cytometry when breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 were cotreated with daidzein （1, 5 μmol/L） and E2 （0.1-10 nmol/L） for 5 days. Whether daidzein could alter E2-modulated mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha （ERα）, estrogen receptor beta （ERI3） and ERβ-estrogen response element （ERE） dependent transcription was investigated by RT-PCR and luciferase induction assays. The effects of daidzein on E2-modulated expression of proapoptotic p53, bax and antiapoptotic bcl-2 at both mRNA and protein levels were also investigated by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results： Daidzein enhanced the antiapoptotic effect in an Ea dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on E2-induced proliferation. Daidzein antagonized E2-induced ERβ mRNA expression and ERβ-ERE dependent transcription. In addition, daidzein only antagonized E2-upregulated expression of p53 and bax, but had no effect on E2-upregulated expression of bcl-2. Conclusion： Daidzein enhances the antiapoptotic effect of E2 on breast cancer cells by inhibiting E2-mediated p53-bax proapoptotic pathway. These results suggest that dietary daidzein may enhance deleterious effect of endogenous E2 in hormone-dependent breast cancer.

Triterpenoid of avocado (Persea americana) seed and its cytotoxic activity toward breast MCF-7 and liver HepG2 cancer cells

Objective:To determine the structure of triterpenoid isolated from avocado seeds and the cytotoxic effect on MCF-7 and Hep G2 cells.Methods:The powder sample was macerated with ethanol,followed with separation of the extract by column chromatography.The target compound was monitored on thin layer chromatography plate and reagent Lieberman–Buchard.The isolated compound was characterized by spectral analysis,mainly ultraviolet,infrared,and liquid chromatographymass spectroscopy and their spectroscopic data with those reported in literature were compared.In vitro cytotoxic activity was investigated against Vero,MCF-7,and Hep G2 cell lines using MTT assay.Results:A triterpenoid compound was isolated from ethanol extract.The extracts,fraction(F3),and the isolated compound showed a significant cytotoxic activity against all investigated cell lines.MTT assay showed that the triterpenoid isolate inhibited cell proliferation of MCF-7 and Hep G2 cell line with the IC50 values of 62 mg/m L and 12 mg/m L,respectively,and was safe to normal cells.Conclusions:The results of the present study reveal that triterpenoid from avocado seeds have the potential for further development as anticancer agents.

Soy isoflavone extracts stimulate the growth of nude mouse xenografts bearing estrogen-dependent human breast cancer cells(MCF-7)

We explored the effects of different lifetime exposures to soy isoflavone extracts on the growth of estrogen- dependent human breast cancer cells （MCF-7） implanted into athymic mice of different ovarian statuses. The athymic mice, ovariectomized or not, were implanted with MCF-7 cells. Mice were fed with low, moderate and high doses of soy isoflavone extract, at dietary concentrations of 6.25, 12.5 and 25 g/kg, in different reproductive models, respectively. The expression of ki-67 was detected by immunohistochemistry, pS2 expression in tumors was analyzed by real-time PCR. Estrogen level in the serum was measured by chemiluminescence enzyme im- munoassay. Total genistein and daidzein levels in serum and urine were determined by liquid chromatography- electrospray tandem mass spectrometry （LC-ES/MS/MS）. In Group A, on week 4, nude mice were exposed to different doses of soy iosflavone extracts. In Group B, the experimental diets were given to the nude mice follow- ing ovariectomy and tumor implantation. In both groups, 6.25 and 12.5 g/kg soy isoflavone extracts stimulated the growth of MCF-7 xenografts, increased pS2 expression, proliferation and estrogen level in serum. In both Group B （postmenopausal mouse model） and Group C （premenopausal mouse model）, soy isoflavone extracts at doses of 6.25 and 12.5 g/kg showed stimulatory effects on the growth of MCF-7 tumors. In conclusion, administration of soy isoflavone extracts at doses of 6.25 and 12.5 g/kg during adolescence or later in life stimulated tumor growth in both menopausal and postmenopausal mouse models.

Cytotoxicity study of ethanol extract of the stem bark of asam kandis (Garcinia cowa Roxb.) on T47D breast cancer cell line

Objective:To investigate the cytotoxic effect of ethanol extract of the stem bark of asam kandis[Garcinia cowa Roxb.(G.cowa)]on T47 D breast cancer cell line.Methods:The cytotoxicity of ethanol extract was carried out against human breast cancer cell line(T47D) by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide colorimetric assay.The extract was added at various concentrations(0.1.1,10 and 100 μg/mL).The level of cytotoxicity was determined by calculating the level of IC_(50),that was based on the percentage of the cell death after 24 h treatment with the extract.Cell morphological changes were observed by using inverted microscope.Results:The 3-(4.5-dimelhylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyltelrazolium bromide assay showed that ethanol extract of G.cowa exhibited significant cytotoxic effect on T47 D with IC_(50) value of(5.10+1.68) μg/mL.Morphological alteration of the cell lines after exposure to ethanol extract of G.cowa was observed under phase contrast microscope in a dosc-dependent manner.ConclusionsThe results suggest the possible use of ethanol extract of asam kandis for preparing herbal medicine for cancer-related ailments.

2-aminoethyl Dihydrogen Phosphate as a Modulator of Proliferative and Apoptotic Effects in Breast Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Breast cancer is a type of cancer that affects more women throughout the world, in developing anddeveloped countries. 2-AEH2P is a phospholipid analog of cellular membrane, which makes it different from existing molecules fortheir absorption, stability and display anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic properties. Methods: MCF-7 humanbreast adenocarcinoma cells were treated with 2-AEH2P. The viability and adhesion cells were evaluated by MTT assay. Cell cyclephases, apoptosis, markers and mitochondrial potential were assessed by flow cytometry. Morphological ultrastructural analyzeswere performed by laser confocal microscopy. Results: MCF-7 Tumor cells acquired round shapes, lost cytoplasmic expansions,formed clusters in suspension and decreased significantly viability. There were changes in the morphology, membrane fragmentationand loss of cytoplasmic projection. The obtained concentrations for IC50% were 37.2;25.8;1.8 mM for periods of 24, 48 and 72 h,respectively. Changes in the distribution of cell population phases of the cell cycle showed an increase in fragmented DNA and anincrease in the G2/M phase. The expression β-gal showed proliferative reduction induced by 2-AEH2P. Laser confocal microscopyshowed changes in the mitochondrial membrane and alteration in distribution. Proliferative index of MCF-7 tumor cells treated with2-AEH2P decreased significantly when compared to fibroblast normal cells. The compound 2-AEH2P is a phospholipid withantiproliferative potential and apoptosis modulator.

QCM Detection of Adhesion, Spreading and Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cells (MCF-7) on a Gold Surface

The quartz crystal microbalance （QCM） was used to monitor the one-day incubation of human breast cancer cells （MCF-7） on the gold electrode. In combination with an optical microscope simulation experiment, the cell-population pictures at various stages, the QCM responses to the cells＇ adhesion, spreading and proliferation on the electrode surface were discussed. The △f0 and △R1 responses were found mainly from mixed effects of viscodensity and surface stress, and in proportion to the cell coverage, rather than to the number of cells at the electrode. The significant fore-and-aft changes in cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of the ferri-ferrocyanide redox couple also proved that the cells were adhesion to the gold surface.

Sonic Hedgehog stimulates migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells through Rac1

As one of the most common tumors in women, breast cancer has drawn considerable interest from investigators and clinicians in recent years. Despite early diagnosis and best therapeutic regimens available, the prognosis of malignant or metastatic breast cancer patients is still not optimistic. Hedgehog signaling, a classical pathway indispensable to embryonic development, participates in the growth of a variety of tumors. In the present study,the effect of Sonic Hedgehog(Shh) on breast cancer cells was investigated. We identified that Shh signal stimulated the migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Smo and Gli1 were involved in Shh-stimulated migration of MCF-7 cells. Activating Smo and Gli1 induced cell migration, which was blocked by their specific antagonists.The effect of Shh signaling on MCF-7 cells was independent of Wnt5 a, Dvl2 and Rab35, but directly dependent on Rac1. In conclusion, our study suggested that Shh promotes breast cancer cell migration via Rac1 independently of the non-canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which may represent a rational molecular target for combination medication in breast cancer.

Sensitivity Evaluation of Two Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines to Tamoxifen through Apoptosis Induction

Tamoxifen citrate (TAM) has been used to treat breast cancer in women for many years. The com-parative effects of TAM in inducing apoptosis were evaluated in estrogen receptor-positive (ER- positive MCF-7) and estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative MDA-MB-231) human breast cancer cell lines in vitro in order to determine if these two cell lines differ in their sensitivity to TAM. Mi-tochondrial membrane permeability potential disruption was assessed in both cell lines by a lip-ophilic cationic dye (DePsipher assay, Trevigen, Inc.) utilizing fluorescence microscopy. Using this specific fluorochrome, we were able to associate mitochondrial membrane disruption to early, mid-, and late apoptotic cells. TAM induced cell death via apoptosis in both ER-positive and ER- negative cells, however, apoptosis induction was more pronounced in ER-positive MCF-7 compared to ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. These findings may have some therapeutic use in the treatment of estrogen dependent and estrogen independent breast cancer.