Momordica charantia Seed and Aryl Extracts Potentiate Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis by Dual Blocking of PI3K/AKT and MAPK Pathways as a Downstream Target of EGFR Signaling in Breast Cancer Cells

Background and Objective: Herbal extracts and plant compounds are increasingly becoming of interest for their therapeutic potential in various cancer types. Momordica charantia is well known for its anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Methods: In the present study, we investigated the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Momordica charantia seed and aryl extracts on breast cancer cells and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results: Our results showed that both extract significantly inhibited the growth of MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, and induced apoptosis by upregulation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 mRNA levels. In addition, in different incubation time, both extract evidently inhibited EGF and induced EGFR phosphorylation/activation in both cell lines. Moreover, Momordica charantia aryl and seed extracts inhibited phosphorylation/activation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK (ERK and P38) pathways in both cell lines. Conclusion: The current study clearly demonstrates that the Momordica charantia aryl and seed extracts have the potential to exert its cytotoxic effect on breast cancer cells by a mechanism involving inhibition of EGFR and EGRF related pathways with the induction of apoptosis. The overall finding demonstrates that this plant, especially seed extract, could be a potential source of new anticancer compounds for possible drug development against cancer.

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Abyssinone V-4′ Methyl Ether, a Flavanone Isolated from Erythrina droogmansiana, Exhibits Cytotoxic Effects on Human Breast Cancer Cells by Induction of Apoptosis and Suppression of Invasion

Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine ◽

10.1155/2020/6454853 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Stéphane Zingue ◽

Abel Joël Gbaweng Yaya ◽

Julia Cisilotto ◽

Larissa Vanelle Kenmogne ◽

Emmanuel Talla ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cell Cycle ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Methyl Ether ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

Cytotoxic Effects

Abyssinone V-4′ methyl ether (AVME) isolated from Erythrina droogmansiana was recently reported to exhibit anti-mammary tumor effect in mice. The present work was therefore aimed at elucidating its cellular and molecular mechanisms. To achieve our goal, the cytotoxicity of AVME against tumoral and non-tumoral cell lines was evaluated by resazurin reduction test; flow cytometry allowed us to evaluate the cell cycle and mechanisms of cell death; the mitochondrial transmembrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and caspase activities as well as apoptosis-regulatory proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL) were measured in MDA-MB-231 cells. Further, the antimetastatic potential of AVME was evaluated by invasion assay. AVME exhibited cytotoxic effects in all tested tumor cell lines and induced a significant increase in the percentage of MDA-MB-231 cells at G2/M and S phases of the cell cycle in a concentration-dependent manner. AVME also induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells, which was accompanied by the activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and downregulation of Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL proteins. Moreover, AVME suppressed cancer cell invasion by the inhibition of the metalloproteinase-9 activity. Findings from this study suggest that AVME has anti-breast cancer activities expressed through mitochondrial proapoptotic pathway including impairment of aggressive behaviors of breast cancer cells.

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Nuclear upregulation of PI3K p110β correlates with increased rRNA transcription in endometrial cancer cells

10.1101/2019.12.20.884122 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Fatemeh Mazloumi Gavgani ◽

Thomas Karlsson ◽

Ingvild L Tangen ◽

Andrea Papdiné Morovicz ◽

Victoria Smith Arnesen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Endometrial Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Pi3k Pathway ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cytoplasmic Staining ◽

Ec Cells

AbstractGenes encoding for components of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway are frequently mutated in cancer, including inactivating mutations of PTEN and activating mutations of PIK3CA, encoding the PI3K catalytic subunit p110α. PIK3CB, encoding p110β, is rarely mutated, but can contribute to tumourigenesis in some PTEN-deficient tumours. The underlying molecular mechanisms are however poorly understood. By analysing cell lines and annotated clinical samples, we have previously found that p110β is highly expressed in endometrial cancer (EC) cell lines and that PIK3CB mRNA levels increase early in primary tumours correlating with lower survival. Selective inhibition of p110α and p110β led to different effects on cell signalling and cell function, p110α activity being correlated to cell survival in PIK3CA mutant cells and p110β with cell proliferation in PTEN-deficient cells. To understand the mechanisms governing the differential roles of these isoforms, we assessed their sub-cellular localisation. p110α was cytoplasmic whereas p110β was both cytoplasmic and nuclear with increased levels in both compartments in cancer cells. Immunohistochemistry of p110β in clinically annotated patient tumour sections revealed high nuclear/cytoplasmic staining ratio, which correlated significantly with higher grades. Consistently, the presence of high levels of p110β in the nuclei of EC cells, correlated with high levels of its product phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PtdIns(3,4,5)P3) in the nucleus. Using immunofluorescence labelling, we observed both p110β and PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 in the nucleoli of EC cell lines. The production of nucleolar PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 was dependent upon p110β activity. EC cells with high levels of nuclear PtdIns(3,4,5)P3 and p110β showed elevated nucleolar activity as assessed by the increase in 47S pre-rRNA transcriptional levels in a p110β-dependent manner. Altogether, these results present a nucleolar role for the PI3K pathway that may contribute to tumour progression in endometrial cancer.

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Comparison of the effect of rhodium citrate-associated iron oxide nanoparticles on metastatic and non-metastatic breast cancer cells

Cancer Nanotechnology ◽

10.1186/s12645-019-0052-1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Natalia Lemos Chaves ◽

Danilo Aquino Amorim ◽

Cláudio Afonso Pinho Lopes ◽

Irina Estrela-Lopis ◽

Julia Böttner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Human Tumor ◽

Metastatic Breast ◽

Cytotoxic Action ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Metastatic Cells ◽

Mcf 7

Abstract Background Nanocarriers have the potential to improve the therapeutic index of currently available drugs by increasing drug efficacy, lowering drug toxicity and achieving steady-state therapeutic levels of drugs over an extended period. The association of maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) with rhodium citrate (forming the complex hereafter referred to as MRC) has the potential to increase the specificity of the cytotoxic action of the latter compound, since this nanocomposite can be guided or transported to a target by the use of an external magnetic field. However, the behavior of these nanoparticles for an extended time of exposure to breast cancer cells has not yet been explored, and nor has MRC cytotoxicity comparison in different cell lines been performed until now. In this work, the effects of MRC NPs on these cells were analyzed for up to 72 h of exposure, and we focused on comparing NPs’ therapeutic effectiveness in different cell lines to elect the most responsive model, while elucidating the underlying action mechanism. Results MRC complexes exhibited broad cytotoxicity on human tumor cells, mainly in the first 24 h. However, while MRC induced cytotoxicity in MDA-MB-231 in a time-dependent manner, progressively decreasing the required dose for significant reduction in cell viability at 48 and 72 h, MCF-7 appears to recover its viability after 48 h of exposure. The recovery of MCF-7 is possibly explained by a resistance mechanism mediated by PGP (P-glycoprotein) proteins, which increase in these cells after MRC treatment. Remaining viable tumor metastatic cells had the migration capacity reduced after treatment with MRC (24 h). Moreover, MRC treatment induced S phase arrest of the cell cycle. Conclusion MRC act at the nucleus, inhibiting DNA synthesis and proliferation and inducing cell death. These effects were verified in both tumor lines, but MDA-MB-231 cells seem to be more responsive to the effects of NPs. In addition, NPs may also disrupt the metastatic activity of remaining cells, by reducing their migratory capacity. Our results suggest that MRC nanoparticles are a promising nanomaterial that can provide a convenient route for tumor targeting and treatment, mainly in metastatic cells.

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C/EBPδ Modulates Cell Growth, Differentiation and Apoptosis of Myeloid Leukemia, Prostate and Breast Cancer Cells.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v104.11.4300.4300 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 104 (11) ◽

pp. 4300-4300

Author(s):

Sigal Gery ◽

Sakae Stanosaki ◽

Takayuki Ikezoe ◽

Wolf K. Hofmann ◽

Adrian F. Gombart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Myeloid Leukemia ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Critical Role ◽

Leukemic Cells ◽

Granulocytic Differentiation ◽

Mcf 7

Abstract C/EBPδ belongs to the family of highly conserved CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) transcription factors. Members of this family play a critical role in the regulation of mitotic growth arrest and differentiation in numerous cell types. To examine the consequences of C/EPBδ expression, we transfected C/EPBδ into CML myeloid leukemia (KCL22, K562), prostate (LNCaP, PC3, DU145), and breast (MCF-7, T47D, MDA-MB-231) cancer cell lines. C/EBPδ expression resulted in a proliferative arrest and an increase in apoptosis of the myeloid leukemia cells, as well as the prostate cells LNCaP and PC3, and the breast cells MCF-7 and T47D. In contrast, DU145 prostate and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were not inhibited by C/EBPδ, indicating that the biologically properties of C/EBPδ depend upon its cellular context. We further studied the molecular mechanisms underlying the affect of C/EPBδ expression in CML leukemic cells. Myeloid differentiation of KCL22 and K562 blast cells as shown by morphologic changes and induction of secondary specific granule genes, occurred within 4 days of inducing expression of C/EBPδ. Furthermore, expression of C/EBPδ was associated with downregulation of c-Myc and cyclin E, and upregulation of the forkhead transcription factor FoxO1a (FKHR) and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1. In addition, microarray analysis showed that C/EBPδ mRNA is upregulated during granulocytic differentiation of normal CD34+ bone marrow cells, suggesting that C/EBPδ is involved in lineage-specific differentiation. Taken together, these results show that expression of C/EBPδ in BCR-ABL-positive CML cells in blast crisis, is sufficient for neutrophil differentiation and suggest that ectopic induction of C/EBPδ in the blastic phase of CML, as well as in certain cases of prostate and breast cancers, may hold promising therapeutic potential.

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Estrogen Regulation of the Glucuronidation Enzyme UGT2B15 in Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Cells

Endocrinology ◽

10.1210/en.2006-0358 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 147 (8) ◽

pp. 3843-3850 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

William R. Harrington ◽

Surojeet Sengupta ◽

Benita S. Katzenellenbogen

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Estrogen Receptor ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Steroid Hormone ◽

Transcriptional Response ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Estrogen Regulation ◽

Estradiol Stimulation

Estrogens and androgens influence many properties of breast cancer cells; hence, regulation of local estrogen and androgen levels by enzymes involved in steroid hormone biosynthesis and metabolism would impact signaling by these hormones in breast cancer cells. In this study, we show that the UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzyme UGT2B15, a member of the UGT family of phase II enzymes involved in the glucuronidation of steroids and xenobiotics, is a novel, estrogen-regulated gene in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive human breast cancer cells (MCF-7, BT474, T47D, and ZR-75). UGT2B15 is the only UGT2B enzyme up-regulated by estrogen, and marked estradiol stimulation of UGT2B15 mRNA levels is observed, in a time- and dose-dependent manner. UGT2B15 stimulation by estradiol is blocked by the antiestrogen ICI182,780, but not by the translational inhibitor cycloheximide, indicating that UGT2B15 is likely a primary transcriptional response mediated through the ER. UGT2B15 up-regulation is also evoked by other estrogens (propylpyrazoletriol, genistein) and by the androgen 5α-dihydrotestosterone working through the ER, but not by other steroid hormone receptor ligands. Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses with several UGT2B-specific antibodies we have designed and steroid glucuronidation assays indicate a large increase in both cellular UGT2B15 protein and enzyme activity after estrogen treatment. Due to the important role of UGT enzymes in forming conjugates between steroids and glucuronic acid, thereby inactivating them and targeting them for removal, the estrogen-induced up-regulation of UGT2B15 might have a significant moderating effect on estrogen and androgen concentrations, thereby reducing their signaling in breast cancer cells.

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Expression of genes modulated by epigallocatechin-3-gallate in breast cancer cells

Herba Polonica ◽

10.2478/hepo-2018-0016 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (3) ◽

pp. 31-37

Author(s):

Anna Bogacz ◽

Marlena Wolek ◽

Bogna Juskowiak ◽

Monika Karasiewicz ◽

Adam Kamiński ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Adjuvant Therapy ◽

Mrna Expression ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Mrna Level ◽

Expression Level ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Mrna Expression Level

Summary Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer among women. Both drug resistance and metastasis are major problems in the treatment of breast cancer. Therefore, adjuvant therapy may improve patients’ survival and affect their quality of life. It is suggested that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which is well known for its chemopreventive activity and acts on numerous molecular targets may inhibit the growth and metastasis of some cancers. Hence, discovering the metastatic molecular mechanisms for breast cancer may be useful for therapy. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of EGGC on the mRNA expression level of genes such as ZEB1, ABCB1, MDM2, TWIST1 and PTEN in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods: MCF7/DOX were cultured in the presence of 0.2 μM DOX and EGCG (20-50 μM). The mRNA expression level was determined by real-time quantitative PCR using RealTime ready Custom Panel 96 kit. Results: Our results showed an important increase (about 2-fold for 20 μM EGCG + 0.2 μM DOX and 2.5-fold for 50 μM EGCG + 0.2 μM DOX, p<0.05) in ZEB1 expression levels. In case of ABCB1 gene lack of influence on the mRNA level was observed (p>0.05). We also observed significant decrease of ZEB1 expression in MCF7 cells with 20 μM and 50 μM EGCG (p<0.05). In addition, EGCG (20 μM) caused an increase of MDM2 and PTEN mRNA levels in almost 100% (p<0.05) and 40% (p>0.05), respectively. Lack of the influence of EGCG was noted for the TWIST1 gene expression. In case of MCF7/DOX we showed an increase of mRNA level of PTEN gene about 50% (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that EGCG may be potentially used in adjuvant therapy in the breast cancer treatment.

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SAT-124 Optimization of Experimental Conditions for Mimicking Hypoxia in Cultured Breast Cancer Cells by Using Cobalt(II) Chloride (CoCl2)

Journal of the Endocrine Society ◽

10.1210/jendso/bvaa046.1318 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Karin Chen ◽

Leo Satlof ◽

Udithi Kothapalli ◽

Noah Ziluck ◽

Maribel Lema ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Apoptosis ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Nuclear Translocation ◽

Breast Cancer Cell Lines ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Experimental Conditions

Abstract Hypoxia is a common phenomenon in solid tumor development caused by a decrease in either oxygen concentration or oxygen pressure as a result of rapid tumor cell growth. Hypoxia is characterized by stabilization of the alpha subunit of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) and its nuclear translocation and heterodimerization with HIF-1β. Activation of this signaling pathway involves multiple downstream effectors including carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9, s. CAIX). A reliable method to mimic hypoxia utilizes cobalt(II) chloride (CoCl2), which directly induces the expression of HIF-1α. The aim of this study was to optimize the experimental conditions for CoCl2 treatment of breast cancer cells in vitro using three human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231, T-47D, and MCF-7 cells). We performed time- and concentration-response experiments, using various concentrations of CoCl2 (50, 100, 200, and 300 μM) for 24 and 48 hours, and measured the expression of HIF-1α and CA9 by qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses. Results demonstrated that CoCl2 downregulated HIF-1α mRNA levels but upregulated CA9 mRNA levels in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Concomitantly, CoCl2 treatment resulted in a significant induction of HIF-1α protein levels. We further investigated the effect of the CoCl2 concentrations listed above on cell apoptosis using an in situ apoptosis detection kit. The results demonstrated that concentrations of CoCl2 up to 100 μM had no significant effect on cell apoptosis.

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Psiadin and plectranthone selectively inhibit colorectal carcinoma cells proliferation via modulating cyclins signaling and apoptotic pathways

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0252820 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. e0252820

Author(s):

Khaled Y. Orabi ◽

Mohamed S. Abaza ◽

Yunus A. Luqmani ◽

Rajaa Al-Attiyah

Keyword(s):

Colorectal Carcinoma ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Normal Breast ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Isolation And Purification ◽

Apoptotic Pathways ◽

Dose Dependent

Three scarce terpenes, psiadin, plectranthone and saudinolide, were obtained after chromatographic isolation and purification from the aerial parts of the respective plants. Their identities were established based on their spectral data. Their anticancer effects against two human colorectal carcinoma cell lines, CCL233 and CCL235, along with the potential molecular mechanisms of action, were explored. Psiadin and plectranthone exhibited marked growth inhibition on both cell lines in a time- and dose-dependent manner with minimal cytotoxicity against normal breast cells (HB2). The terpenes even showed superior activities to the tested standards. Flow cytometry showed apoptosis induction and alteration in the cell cycle in colorectal cancer cells treated with both compounds. Nevertheless, it was also found that both compounds inhibited NF-κB transcriptional activity, induced mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization and increased the percentage of reactive oxygen species in the treated cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner as well. Since the anticancer effect of psiadin on cancer cells was higher than that produced by plectranthone, only psiadin was tested to determine its possible targets. The results suggested a high degree of specificity of action affecting particular cellular processes in both cancer cells. In conclusion, both terpenes, in particular psiadin, showed significant discriminative therapeutic potential between cancer and normal cells, a value that is missing in current chemotherapies.

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Endocytosis and Trafficking of Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells Unraveled with a Polycationic Peptide

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21218282 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (21) ◽

pp. 8282

Author(s):

Elisabetta Mandarini ◽

Eva Tollapi ◽

Marta Zanchi ◽

Lorenzo Depau ◽

Alessandro Pini ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Heparan Sulfate ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Cell Lines ◽

Cancer Cell ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Triple Negative ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Heparin Binding ◽

Polycationic Peptide

The process of heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) internalization has been described as following different pathways. The tumor-specific branched NT4 peptide has been demonstrated to bind HSPGs on the plasma membrane and to be internalized in tumor cell lines. The polycationic peptide has been also shown to impair migration of different cancer cell lines in 2D and 3D models. Our hypothesis was that HSPG endocytosis could affect two important phenomena of cancer development: cell migration and nourishment. Using NT4 as an experimental tool mimicking heparin-binding ligands, we studied endocytosis and trafficking of HSPGs in a triple-negative human breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231. The peptide entered cells employing caveolin- or clathrin-dependent endocytosis and macropinocytosis, in line with what is already known about HSPGs. NT4 then localized in early and late endosomes in a time-dependent manner. The peptide had a negative effect on CDC42-activation triggered by EGF. The effect can be explained if we consider NT4 a competitive inhibitor of EGF on HS that impairs the co-receptor activity of the proteoglycan, reducing EGFR activation. Reduction of the invasive migratory phenotype of MDA-MB-231 induced by NT4 can be ascribed to this effect. RhoA activation was damped by EGF in MDA-MB-231. Indeed, EGF reduced RhoA-GTP and NT4 did not interfere with this receptor-mediated signaling. On the other hand, the peptide alone determined a small but solid reduction in active RhoA in breast cancer cells. This result supports the observation of few other studies, showing direct activation of the GTPase through HSPG, not mediated by EGF/EGFR.

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Triple SILAC identified progestin-independent and dependent PRA and PRB interacting partners in breast cancer

Scientific Data ◽

10.1038/s41597-021-00884-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Prangwan Pateetin ◽

Gyorgy Hutvagner ◽

Matthew P. Padula ◽

Eileen M. McGowan ◽

Viroj Boonyaratanakornkit

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Cells ◽

Breast Cancer Cells ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Isotope Labeling ◽

Affinity Purification ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Downstream Signaling ◽

Mass Spectrometry Technique ◽

Spectrometry Technique

AbstractProgesterone receptor (PR) isoforms, PRA and PRB, act in a progesterone-independent and dependent manner to differentially modulate the biology of breast cancer cells. Here we show that the differences in PRA and PRB structure facilitate the binding of common and distinct protein interacting partners affecting the downstream signaling events of each PR-isoform. Tet-inducible HA-tagged PRA or HA-tagged PRB constructs were expressed in T47DC42 (PR/ER negative) breast cancer cells. Affinity purification coupled with stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) mass spectrometry technique was performed to comprehensively study PRA and PRB interacting partners in both unliganded and liganded conditions. To validate our findings, we applied both forward and reverse SILAC conditions to effectively minimize experimental errors. These datasets will be useful in investigating PRA- and PRB-specific molecular mechanisms and as a database for subsequent experiments to identify novel PRA and PRB interacting proteins that differentially mediated different biological functions in breast cancer.

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