Gene Expression In MCF-7 Cells Research Articles

Effects of 50 Hz magnetic fields on gene expression in MCF-7 cells

To investigate whether 50 Hz magnetic fields (MF) can change the gene expression profile in MCF-7 cells and to screen MF responsive genes. In vitro cultured MCF-7 cells were continuously exposed or sham-exposed to 0.4 mT of 50 Hz MF for 24 hours. Affymetrix Human Genome Genechips (U133A) were applied to analyze gene expression profiles in MF exposed and sham-exposed MCF-7 cells and the data were processed with Genechip data analysis software MAS 5.0 and DMT 3.0. Real-time RT-PCR assay was employed to examine the differentially expressed genes. Thirty differentially expressed genes were screened with 100 % consistency change calls in the MF exposed MCF-7 cells. Six independent real-time RT-PCR analyses showed that SCNN1A, METTL3 and GPR137B were slightly but statistically significantly changed in MCF-7 cells after exposure to 50 Hz MF (P<0.05), while other analyzed genes exhibited slight up-and down-fluctuations in expressions and no increase or decrease in each gene expression reached statistical significance (P>0.05). The present study identified three 50 Hz MF responsive genes in MCF-7 cells and the biological consequences of expression changes in these MF responsive genes need to be further investigated.0.4 mT 50 Hz MF exposure for longer duration might induce DNA double-strand breaks in human lens epithelial cells in vitro.

Effects of thyroid hormones on human breast cancer cell proliferation

The involvement of estrogens in breast cancer development and growth has been well established. However, the effects of thyroid hormones and their combined effects with estrogens are not well studied. We investigated the response of human breast cancer cells to thyroid hormone, particularly the role of T3 in mediating cell proliferation and gene expression. We demonstrated that 17β-estradiol (E2) or triiodothyronine (T3) promoted cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both MCF-7 and T47-D cell lines. The E2- or T3-dependent cell proliferation was suppressed by co-administration of the ER antagonist ICI. We also demonstrated that T3 could enhance the effect of E2 on cell proliferation in T47-D cells. Using an estrogen response element (ERE)-mediated luciferase assay, we determined that T3 was able to induce the activation of ERE-mediated gene expression in MCF-7 cells, although the effects were much weaker than that induced by E2. These results suggest that T3 can promote breast cancer cell proliferation and increase the effect of E2 on cell proliferation in some breast cancer cell lines and thus that T3 may play a role in breast cancer development and progression.

PPARα Ligands Reduce PCB-Induced Endothelial Activation: Possible Interactions in Inflammation and Atherosclerosis

Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) can activate inflammatory responses in vascular endothelial cells. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) by nutrients or synthetic agonists has been shown to block pro-inflammatory responses both in vitro and in vivo. Here we demonstrate that activation of PPARalpha by synthetic agonists can reduce 3,3'4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl (PCB77)-induced endothelial cell activation. Primary vascular endothelial cells were pretreated with the PPARalpha ligands fenofibrate or WY14643 followed by exposure to PCB77. PPARalpha activation protected endothelial cells against PCB77-induced expression of the pro-inflammatory proteins vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), cycloxygenase-2 (COX-2), and PCB77-induced expression and activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) responsive cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1). Furthermore, basal AHR expression was downregulated by fenofibrate and WY14643. We also investigated the possible interactions between PCBs, and basal PPAR activity and protein expression. Treatment with PCB77 significantly reduced basal mRNA expression of PPARalpha and the PPAR responsive gene CYP4A1, as well as PPARalpha protein expression. Also, PCB77 exposure caused a significant decrease in basal PPAR-dependent reporter gene expression in MCF-7 cells. Overall, these findings suggest that PPARalpha agonists can reduce PCB77 induction of endothelial cell activation by inhibition of the AHR pathway, and that coplanar PCB induced pro-inflammatory effects could be mediated, in part, by inhibition of PPARalpha expression and function.

Role of specificity protein transcription factors in estrogen-induced gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Deletion analysis of several 17beta-estradiol (E(2))-responsive genes have identified GC-rich sites that are associated with hormone-induced transactivation in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. However, the role of individual specificity proteins (Sps) in mediating hormone-induced gene expression has not been unequivocally determined. In transient transfection studies using E(2)-responsive GC-rich promoters from the E(2)F1, carbamoylphosphate synthetase/aspartate transcarbamylase/dihydroorotase (CAD), and retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR alpha) genes, RNA interference using small inhibitory RNAs for Sp1 (iSp1), Sp3 (iSp3), and Sp4 (iSp4) decreased both basal and E(2)-induced transactivation. The contributions of individual Sp proteins to basal and E(2)-induced activity were promoter dependent. iSp1, iSp3, and iSp4 also significantly inhibited hormonal induction of E(2)F1, CAD, and RAR alpha mRNA levels; however, the enhanced inhibitory effects of the latter two small inhibitory RNAs suggest that Sp3 and Sp4 play a major role in estrogen receptor alpha/Sp-mediated gene expression in MCF-7 cells.

Elimination of Antiestrogenic Effects of Active Tamoxifen Metabolites by Glucuronidation

1-[4-(2-Dimethylaminoethoxy)-phenyl]-1,2-diphenylbut-1-(Z)-ene (tamoxifen, TAM) is a nonsteroidal antiestrogen that has been commonly used for the prevention and treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. TAM is extensively metabolized into several primary active metabolites including 4-hydroxy-TAM (4-OH-TAM) and endoxifen. Glucuronidation is the major phase II metabolic pathway important in their excretion. Whereas high antiestrogenic activity has been reported for both 4-OH-TAM and endoxifen, studies examining the effect of glucuronide conjugation of these metabolites have not previously been performed. In the present study, the antiestrogenic activities of glucuronidated TAM metabolites were determined by examining their effect on the induction of the estrogen-responsive progesterone receptor (PGR) gene. 17beta-Estradiol (E(2))-mediated PGR gene expression in MCF-7 cells was determined by real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction for each TAM metabolite isomer. E(2) (1 x 10(-10) M) induction of PGR mRNA was 6-fold after a 12-h incubation; only unconjugated TAM metabolites inhibited this effect. A virtually identical dose-dependent inhibition of E(2)-induced PGR gene expression was found for both the trans- and cis-isomers of 4-OH-TAM and endoxifen, with maximal inhibition attained at 1 x 10(-6) M of TAM metabolite. The glucuronide conjugates of all 4-OH-TAM and endoxifen isomers exhibited no effect on E(2)-mediated induction of PGR expression at all concentrations of TAM metabolite examined in this study. These data indicate that isomers of both 4-OH-TAM and endoxifen exhibit roughly equipotent antiestrogenic effects on E(2)-induced gene expression and that glucuronide conjugates of the same metabolites effectively negate this activity. This result may have important implications in terms of both whole-body and target tissue-specific glucuronidation pathways and individual responses to TAM therapy and cancer prevention.

Epigenetic and genetic mechanisms contribute to telomerase inhibition by EGCG

The ends of human chromosomes are protected from the degradation associated with cell division by 15-20 kb long segments of hexameric repeats of 5'-TTAGGG-3' termed telomeres. In normal cells telomeres lose up to 300 bp of DNA per cell division that ultimately leads to senescence; however, most cancer cells bypass this lifespan restriction through the expression of telomerase. hTERT, the catalytic subunit essential for the proper function of telomerase, has been shown to be expressed in approximately 90% of all cancers. In this study we investigated the hTERT inhibiting effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol found in green tea catechins, in MCF-7 breast cancers cells and HL60 promyelocytic leukemia cells. Exposure to EGCG reduced cellular proliferation and induced apoptosis in both MCF-7 and HL60 cells in vitro, although hTERT mRNA expression was decreased only in MCF-7 cells when treated with EGCG. Furthermore, down-regulation of hTERT gene expression in MCF-7 cells appeared to be largely due to epigenetic alterations. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with EGCG resulted in a time-dependent decrease in hTERT promoter methylation and ablated histone H3 Lys9 acetylation. In conjunction with demethylation, further analysis showed an increase in hTERT repressor E2F-1 binding at the promoter. From these findings, we propose that EGCG is effective in causing cell death in both MCF-7 and HL60 cancer cell lines and may work through different pathways involving both anti-oxidant effects and epigenetic modulation.

Influence of Sutherlandia frutescens extracts on cell numbers, morphology and gene expression in MCF-7 cells

Sutherlandia frutescens is a well-known South African herbal remedy traditionally used for stomach problems, internal cancers, diabetes, various inflammatory conditions and recently to improve the overall health in cancer and HIV/AIDS patients. The influence of crude Sutherlandia frutescens extracts (prepared with 70% ethanol) was investigated on cell numbers, morphology, and gene expression profiles in a MCF-7 human breast adenocarcinoma cell line. Time-dependent (24, 34, 48 and 72 h) and dose-dependent (0.5–2.5 mg/ml) studies were conducted utilizing spectrophotometrical analysis with crystal violet as DNA stain. A statistically significant decrease to 50% of malignant cell numbers was observed after 24 h of exposure to 1.5 mg/ml Sutherlandia frutescens extract when compared to vehicle-treated controls. Morphological characteristics of apoptosis including cytoplasmic shrinking, membrane blebbing and apoptotic bodies were observed after 24 h of exposure. A preliminary global gene expression profile was obtained by means of microarray analysis and revealed valuable information about the molecular mechanisms and signal transduction associated with 70% ethanolic Sutherlandia frutescens extracts.

Agonist and Antagonist of Retinoic Acid Receptors Cause Similar Changes in Gene Expression and Induce Senescence-like Growth Arrest in MCF-7 Breast Carcinoma Cells

Biological effects of retinoids are mediated via retinoic acid (RA) receptors (RAR) and retinoid X receptors (RXR). The best-characterized mechanism of retinoid action is stimulation of transcription from promoters containing RA response elements (RARE). Retinoids induce senescence-like growth arrest in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells; this effect is associated with the induction of several growth-inhibitory genes. We have now found that these genes are induced by RAR-specific but not by RXR-specific ligands. Genome-scale microarray analysis of gene expression was used to compare the effects of two pan-RAR ligands, one of which is a strong agonist of RARE-dependent transcription, whereas the other induces such transcription only weakly and antagonizes the inducing effect of RAR agonists. Both RAR ligands, however, produced very similar effects on gene expression in MCF-7 cells, suggesting that RARE-dependent transcription is only a minor component of retinoid-induced changes in gene expression. The effects of RAR ligands on gene expression parallel changes associated with damage-induced senescence, and both ligands induced G(1) arrest and the senescent phenotype in MCF-7 cells. The RAR ligands up-regulated many tumor-suppressive genes and down-regulated multiple genes with oncogenic activities. Genes that are strongly induced by RAR ligands encode secreted bioactive proteins, including several tumor-suppressing factors. In agreement with these observations, retinoid-treated MCF-7 cells inhibited the growth of retinoid-insensitive MDA-MB-231 breast carcinoma cells in coculture. These results indicate that RARE-independent transcriptional effects of RAR ligands lead to senescence-like growth arrest and paracrine growth-inhibitory activity in MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells.

Nuclear type II [ 3H]estradiol binding site ligands: inhibition of ER-positive and ER-negative cell proliferation and c-Myc and cyclin D1 gene expression

These studies assessed the effects of 3,4-dihydroxybenzalacetone (ZN-1) and 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propanol (ZN-2) on MCF-7 cell proliferation. The compounds blocked [ 3H]estradiol binding to nuclear type II sites, but did not compete for [ 3H]estradiol binding to recombinant ERα or ERβ. ZN-1 and ZN-2 inhibited the proliferation of ERα and ERβ positive (MCF-7) and negative (MCF-10A) breast cells, further ruling out direct binding to ER in the mechanism of action of these compounds. Pre-loading type II sites with ZN-1 or ZN-2 reduced [ 3H]estradiol exchange, strongly suggesting the drugs were binding covalently. ZN-1 treatment resulted in complete occupancy of type II sites and sustained (9 days) inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation following its removal from the tissue culture medium. This cell growth inhibition was not due to non-specific toxicity, as the numbers of viable, attached cells per dish (determined by trypan blue dye exclusion) remained constant throughout this 9-day period and eventually reversed by day 19. ZN-2 effects on cell proliferation reversed more rapidly following discontinuation of treatment, a response consistent with the inability of the compound to totally block type II binding. Both ZN-1 and ZN-2 blocked estradiol stimulation of c-Myc and cyclin D1 gene expression in MCF-7 cells, two events that are clearly coupled to cell cycle progression. We suspect this may occur through ZN-1 or ZN-2 modification of nucleosome function and/or chromatin remodeling since nuclear type II sites are localized to a complex of histones H3 and H4 (Shoulars et. al, J Steroid Biochem. Mol. Biol. 96: 19–30, 2005).

Comparison of effects of 4-hydroxy tamoxifen and trilostane on oestrogen-regulated gene expression in MCF-7 cells: Up-regulation of oestrogen receptor beta

4-Hydroxy tamoxifen (OHT) and trilostane interact differently with the oestrogen receptor (ER). OHT is a competitive inhibitor whereas trilostane has direct, but non-competitive effects on ER. This study compared the effects of OHT and trilostane, in the presence of 17β-oestradiol (E2) on gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using microarrays each representing nearly 20,000 human genes. Striking differences between the sets of genes affected by these two drugs were observed. Both OHT and trilostane affected transcription of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, cell adhesion and matrix formation, however, only 12.5% of trilostane down-regulated genes and 9.2% of up-regulated genes were similarly regulated by OHT. A selective up-regulation of ERβ by trilostane, but not OHT, was observed and confirmed by qRT-PCR. Similar up-regulation of this gene by trilostane was observed in the uterus of trilostane-treated (4 mg/kg for 7 days) rats, in which ERβ mRNA (3-fold) and ERβ protein expression (10-fold) were both increased. These data show that OHT and trilostane regulate the expression of different sets of genes, reflecting their different modes of interaction with ER. Trilostane-specific up-regulation of ERβ could explain its positive benefit rates in acquired tamoxifen resistance.

Endoxifen, a Secondary Metabolite of Tamoxifen, and 4-OH-Tamoxifen Induce Similar Changes in Global Gene Expression Patterns in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

We recently demonstrated that endoxifen (4-hydroxy-N-desmethyl-tamoxifen), a pharmacogenetically regulated metabolite of tamoxifen, is equipotent to 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen (4-OH-Tam) with respect to estrogen receptor binding and inhibition of 17beta-estradiol (E2)-induced cell proliferation. Endoxifen was also found to be more abundant in human plasma than 4-OH-Tam, and its formation has been shown to be primarily catalyzed by cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6). Here, we report studies evaluating the effects of endoxifen, 4-OH-Tam, and E2 on gene expression in MCF-7 cells using Affymetrix U133A GeneChip Arrays (Santa Clara, CA). We detected 4062 genes that were E2-regulated (1924 induced; 2138 suppressed), and the ratio of E2-induced versus E2-suppressed genes was consistent regardless of the cutoff value. In the presence of E2, 2444 and 2390 genes were affected by 4-OH-Tam and endoxifen, respectively, when no minimal -fold change cutoff was implemented. The majority of genes regulated by the tamoxifen metabolites were also E2-responsive (74.4 and 73.3%, respectively). Endoxifen and 4-OH-Tam had overlapping effects on 1365 E2-sensitive genes, whose -fold effects between these metabolites were highly correlated (R2 = 0.99). A significant correlation was also found between the -fold effects of 249 E2-insensitive genes coregulated by both metabolites (R2 = 0.99). Hierarchical clustering analysis demonstrated similar gene regulation patterns between these metabolites, which were distinct from E2 or vehicle treatment patterns. Using real time-polymerase chain reaction, we validated the gene expression patterns of five genes that were differentially regulated by endoxifen and 4-OH-Tam. We conclude that endoxifen and 4-OH-Tam have similar effects on global gene expression patterns in MCF-7 cells and that the majority of the affected genes are estrogen-regulated genes.

Melatonin inhibits both ERα activation and breast cancer cell proliferation induced by a metalloestrogen, cadmium

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal affecting human health both through environmental and occupational exposure. There is evidence that Cd accumulates in several organs and is carcinogenic to humans. In vivo, Cd mimics the effect of estrogens in the uterus and mammary gland. In estrogen-responsive breast cancer cell lines, Cd stimulates proliferation and can also activate the estrogen receptor independent of estradiol. The ability of this metalloestrogen to increase gene expression in MCF7 cells is blocked by anti-estrogens suggesting that the activity of these compounds is mediated by ER alpha. The aims of this work were to test whether melatonin inhibits Cd-induced proliferation in MCF7 cells, and also to study whether melatonin specifically inhibits Cd-induced ER alpha transactivation. We show that melatonin prevents the Cd-induced growth of synchronized MCF7 breast cancer cells. In transient transfection experiments, we prove that both ER alpha- and ER beta-mediated transcription are stimulated by Cd. Melatonin is a specific inhibitor of Cd-induced ER alpha-mediated transcription in both estrogen response elements (ERE)- and AP1-containing promoters, whereas ER beta-mediated transcription is not inhibited by the pineal indole. Moreover, the mutant ER alpha-(K302G, K303G), unable to bind calmodulin, is activated by Cd but becomes insensitive to melatonin treatment. These results proved that melatonin inhibits MCF7 cell growth induced by Cd and abolishes the stimulatory effect of the heavy metal in cells expressing ER alpha at both ERE-luc and AP1-luc sites. We can infer from these experiments that melatonin regulates Cd-induced transcription in both ERE- and AP1 pathways. These results also reinforce the hypothesis of the anti-estrogenic properties of melatonin as a valuable tool in breast cancer therapies.

Screening of food extracts for estrogenic activity

Estrogens though well known for their reproductive role are important regulators of mood. Estrogen (mainly 17β-estradiol) mediates its actions through two main intracellular receptors- estrogen receptors α and β(ERα and ERβ). ERβ mediated signalling appears to be critical in regulating nonreproductive behaviour such as processing of emotional behaviour and cognitive functions such as verbal fluency, memory and learning. Phytoestrogens and other natural plant extracts are now increasingly being studied for their anxiolytic properties. We have set up a three-tiered system to assay the reactivity of plant extracts to ERβ – assay of the physical binding affinity of extracts to ERβ based on a receptor binding assay. assay of the estrogenic response as evidenced by proliferation of the estrogen-dependent MCF-7 cells. And quantitation of the ERα and ERβ gene expression in MCF-7 cells treated with the extracts. Fruit extracts from apples, kiwifruit and various berries, as well as standard polyphenols and essential oils were screened. Apple extract, berry extract, eugenol, geraniol, farnesene and standard polyphenols such as naringenin and genistein demonstrated an estrogenic response. This has implications for their uses in delivering estrogen associated cognitive benefits in functional foods. Funded by the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, New Zealand.

In vitro and in vivo MMP gene expression localisation by In Situ-RT-PCR in cell culture and paraffin embedded human breast cancer cell line xenografts

BackgroundMembers of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family of proteases are required for the degradation of the basement membrane and extracellular matrix in both normal and pathological conditions. In vitro, MT1-MMP (MMP-14, membrane type-1-MMP) expression is higher in more invasive human breast cancer (HBC) cell lines, whilst in vivo its expression has been associated with the stroma surrounding breast tumours. MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase) has been associated with MDA-MB-231 invasion in vitro, while MMP-3 (stromelysin-1) has been localised around invasive cells of breast tumours in vivo. As MMPs are not stored intracellularly, the ability to localise their expression to their cells of origin is difficult.MethodsWe utilised the unique in situ-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (IS-RT-PCR) methodology to localise the in vitro and in vivo gene expression of MT1-MMP, MMP-1 and MMP-3 in human breast cancer. In vitro, MMP induction was examined in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 HBC cell lines following exposure to Concanavalin A (Con A). In vivo, we examined their expression in archival paraffin embedded xenografts derived from a range of HBC cell lines of varied invasive and metastatic potential. Mouse xenografts are heterogenous, containing neoplastic human parenchyma with mouse stroma and vasculature and provide a reproducible in vivo model system correlated to the human disease state.ResultsIn vitro, exposure to Con A increased MT1-MMP gene expression in MDA-MB-231 cells and decreased MT1-MMP gene expression in MCF-7 cells. MMP-1 and MMP-3 gene expression remained unchanged in both cell lines. In vivo, stromal cells recruited into each xenograft demonstrated differences in localised levels of MMP gene expression. Specifically, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-435 and Hs578T HBC cell lines are able to influence MMP gene expression in the surrounding stroma.ConclusionWe have demonstrated the applicability and sensitivity of IS-RT-PCR for the examination of MMP gene expression both in vitro and in vivo. Induction of MMP gene expression in both the epithelial tumour cells and surrounding stromal cells is associated with increased metastatic potential. Our data demonstrate the contribution of the stroma to epithelial MMP gene expression, and highlight the complexity of the role of MMPs in the stromal-epithelial interactions within breast carcinoma.

Haloperidol-associated Stealth Liposomes: A POTENT CARRIER FOR DELIVERING GENES TO HUMAN BREAST CANCER CELLS

Sigma receptors are membrane-bound proteins that are overexpressed in certain human malignancies including breast cancer. These receptors show very high affinity for various sigma ligands including neuroleptics like haloperidol. We hypothesized that in associating haloperidol-linked lipid into the cationic lipid-DNA complex, we can specifically target and deliver genes to breast cancer cells that overexpress sigma receptors. In the present study, haloperidol was chemically modified to conjugate at the distal end of the polyethylene glycollinked phospholipid, which was then incorporated into the cationic liposome known to condense and deliver genes inside cells. The resulting haloperidol-conjugated targeted lipoplex showed at least 10-fold higher (p < 0.001) reporter gene expression in MCF-7 cells than control lipoplex. The reporter gene expression of the targeted lipoplex was significantly blocked by haloperidol (p < 0.001) and by another sigma ligand, 1,3-ditolylguanidine (p < 0.001) in the majority of cationic lipid to DNA charge ratios (+/-). Spironolactone-mediated sigma receptor down-regulation enabled MCF-7 to show 10-fold lower transgene expression with targeted lipoplex compared with that obtained in spironolactone-untreated cells. The targeted lipoplex generated nonspecific gene expression in sigma receptor-nonexpressing human cancer cells such as Hela, KB, HepG2, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Moreover, the transgene expression remained unabated in physiologically relevant serum concentrations. This is the first study to demonstrate that haloperidol-targeted gene delivery systems can mediate efficient targeting of genes to sigma receptor-overexpressing breast cancer cells, thereby becoming a novel class of therapeutics for the treatment of human cancers.

Disruption of estrogen-regulated gene expression by dioxin: downregulation of a gene associated with the onset of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes)

Expression of an estrogen-regulated reporter gene, growth of MCF-7 cells in the presence of 17beta-estradiol (E2) or E2 plus TCDD, and DNA microarray plus real time quantitative PCR analyses of gene expression in MCF-7 cells were used to evaluate the effects of TCDD, a known E2 antagonist, on E2-regulated gene expression in human cells. TCDD added simultaneously with E2 exhibited significantly decreased E2-associated upregulation of reporter gene expression compared with cells treated with E2 alone, and decreased E2 enhancement of mitosis in MCF-7 cells. MCF-7 cells treated with E2 or E2 plus TCDD and DNA microarray-evaluated to determine patterns of gene expression, showed substantial differences in gene expression in TCDD-treated cells compared with E2-treated cells. Of the 2400 genes on the Perkin Elmer global array microchip utilized for this analysis, a minimum of 317 were significantly upregulated and 488 were significantly downregulated. Of these, the gene encoding insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), the protein product of which has been previously reported to be decreased, missing, altered, or defective in persons with type 2 diabetes mellitus, was evaluated by real time quantitative PCR to corroborate the array data. An evaluation of the potential consequences of TCDD-altered IRS-1 downregulation is presented.

Ligand-independent interactions of p160/steroid receptor coactivators and CREB-binding protein (CBP) with estrogen receptor-alpha: regulation by phosphorylation sites in the A/B region depends on other receptor domains.

Estrogen receptor (ER)alpha and ERbeta are transcription factors that can be activated by both ligand binding and growth factor signaling. Estradiol increases ER activity in part by enhancing interactions between its carboxy-terminal, ligand-binding domain (LBD) and the p160/SRC (steroid receptor coactivator) and p300/CBP (cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) binding protein) families of coactivators. In the absence of ligand and the LBD, these cofactors can also interact with the amino-terminal (A/B) domain of ERs in vitro. SRC-1 also enhances the ligand-independent activity of the full-length receptor. Both ligand-independent and estradiol-induced ER activity are increased by phosphorylation at specific serine (Ser) residues in the A/B domain (Ser104/106 and Ser118 in ERalpha). In the case of ERbeta, phosphorylation enhances the ligand-independent recruitment and action of SRC-1. We show here that unliganded ERalpha can activate endogenous gene expression in MCF-7 cells, and that this activation is mediated in part by a p160 coactivator. In transfected HeLa cells, we show that the full-length ERalpha can interact physically and functionally with p160/SRCs and CBP in the absence of ligand and that mutation of Ser104/106/118 affects these interactions. Accordingly, ERalpha dephosphorylation decreases its ligand-independent interaction with SRC-1 and CBP in vitro. In HeLa cells, both Ser104/106 and Ser118 impinge on SRC-1 action by two mechanisms: 1) a seemingly indirect effect on SRC-1 recruitment that requires other receptor domains in addition to the A/B, consistent with our finding that the ligand-independent interaction between the A/B and the LBD and its enhancement by SRC-1 depend in part on Ser104/106/118; and 2) an effect on SRC-1 coactivation that can be observed in the absence of the LBD. Ser104/106/118 can also affect coactivation by a subset of coactivators in the presence of hormone, albeit to a lesser extent than in its absence. Altogether, our observations suggest that the enhancement of ERalpha activity by p160/SRCs and CBP can be regulated by phosphorylation and stress the importance of using full-length receptors to assess the role of the activation function-1 in cofactor recruitment.

Estrogen regulation of c- fos gene expression through phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase-dependent activation of serum response factor in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

17β-Estradiol (E2) induces proliferation and c- fos gene expression in MCF-7 cells and both responses are partially blocked by wortmannin and LY294002 which are inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3-K). Analysis of the c- fos gene promoter shows that the effects of wortmannin and LY294002 are associated with inhibition of E2-induced activation through the serum response factor (SRF) motif within the proximal serum response element at −325 and −296. E2 activates constructs containing multiple copies of the SRF (pSRF) and a GAL4–SRF fusion protein; these responses are accompanied by PI3-K-dependent phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited by wortmannin/LY294002, the antiestrogen ICI 182780, but not by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) inhibitor PD98059. Using a series of kinase inhibitors and dominant negative kinase expression plasmids, it was shown that the non-genomic activation of SRF by E2 was associated with src–ras–PI3-K pathway, thus, demonstrating hormonal activation of the SRE through src–ras activation of both PI3-K- and MAPK-dependent signaling pathways.

Effect of resveratrol on the expression of autocrine growth modulators in human breast cancer cells.

The effect of resveratrol on the growth of human breast cancer cells was examined. Resveratrol inhibited the growth of estrogen receptor-positive MCF-7 cells cultivated in the presence of estradiol in a dose-dependent fashion. At 10(-5) M, resveratrol maximally inhibited the growth stimulatory effect mediated by 10(-9) M estradiol without affecting cell viability. At the molecular level, resveratrol in a dose-dependent fashion antagonized the stimulation by estradiol of an estrogen response element reporter gene construct and of progesterone receptor gene expression in MCF-7 cells. Resveratrol also inhibited the proliferation of the estrogen-receptor negative human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-468. These later data suggest that resveratrol can also inhibit breast cancer cell proliferation by another mechanism besides estrogen receptor antagonism. We show here that resveratrol altered the expression of several autocrine growth modulators and their receptors in MCF-7 cells. Resveratrol at 10(-5) M inhibited the expression of the autocrine growth stimulators transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), PC cell-derived growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor I receptor mRNA. In addition, resveratrol significantly elevated the expression of the growth inhibitor TGF-beta2 mRNA without changes in TGF-beta1 and TGF-beta3 expression. These data suggest that resveratrol inhibits proliferation by altering autocrine growth modulator pathways in breast cancer cells.

Activation of adenosine deaminase in MCF-7 cells through IGF-estrogen receptor alpha crosstalk

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) regulates cellular levels of adenosine and deoxyadenosine, and 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) induces ADA mRNA in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. IGF-I also induces ADA gene expression in these cells, and induction of this response through IGF activation of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) was further investigated. IGF and other polypeptide growth factors induce reporter gene expression in MCF-7 cells cotransfected with ERalpha expression plasmid and pADA211, a construct containing the -211 to +11 region of the ADA gene promoter which is required for high basal and E(2)-inducible activity. Deletion analysis of this promoter demonstrates that IGF activates ERalpha/Sp1 interactions with multiple GC-rich sites in the promoter and this response is abrogated in cells transfected with ERalpha containing mutations at Ser(118) or Ser(163). IGF induces both MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) and PI3-K (phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase) phosphorylation cascades in MCF-7 cells; however, using a series of inhibitors and dominant negative constructs, our results show that induction of ADA by IGF activation of ERalpha/Sp1 is dependent on the MAPK signaling pathway.