Effects of estrogen on apoptotic pathways in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7
Wang, T.T.; Phang, J.M.
Cancer Research 55(12): 2487-2489
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 7780952 Accession: 008555011
We utilized a reverse transcription-PCR method to examine the effect of estrogen on the expression of mRNA for Bcl-2 and Bax, two modulatory proteins in the apoptotic pathway, in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. We found that the bcl-2 mRNA levels in the cells exposed to 17-beta-estradiol were higher than those of control cells. Although the relative bax mRNA levels remained unchanged, the changes in bcl-2 mRNA level occurred in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, pretreatment with 17-beta-estradiol protected MCF-7 cells from apoptosis. Our study provides evidence that responses of breast epithelial cells toward a steroid sex hormone involve regulation of the apoptotic pathway.