Inhibition of estrogen receptor alpha expression and function in MCF-7 cells by kaempferol

Estrogens are mitogenic for estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer cells. Current treatment of ER-positive breast tumors is directed towards interruption of estrogen activity. We report that treatment of ER-positive breast cancer cells with kaempferol resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell number. The concentration required to produce 50% growth inhibition at 48 h was approximately 35.0 and 70.0 microM for ER-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells, respectively. For MCF-7 cells, a reduction in the ER-alpha mRNA equivalent to 50, 12, 10% of controls was observed 24 h after treatment with 17.5, 35.0, and 70.0 microM of kaempferol, respectively. Concomitantly, these treatments led to a 58, 80, and 85% decrease in ER-alpha protein. The inhibitory effect of kaempferol on ER-alpha levels was seen as early as 6 h post-treatment. Kaempferol treatment also led in a dose-dependent decrease in the expression of progesterone receptor (PgR), cyclin D1, and insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1). Immunocytochemical study revealed that ER-alpha protein in kaempferol-treated MCF-7 cells formed an aggregation in the nuclei. Kaempferol also induced degradation of ER-alpha by a different pathway than that were observed for the antiestrogen ICI 182,780 and estradiol. Estradiol-induced MCF-7 cell proliferation and expression of the estrogen-responsive-element-reporter gene activity were abolished in cells co-treated with kaempferol. These findings suggest that modulation of ER-alpha expression and function by kaempferol may be, in part, responsible for its anti-proliferative effects seen in in vitro.     

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists directly activate estrogen receptor alpha in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) binds with high affinity to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and related halogenated aromatics, but also binds with lower affinity to structurally diverse exogenous and endogenous chemicals. One study reported that 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC) activated the estrogen receptor (ER) through the AhR, which acts as co-regulatory protein, whereas a recent report showed that 3MC directly bound and activated ERalpha. This study also shows that the AhR agonists benzo[a]pyrene, 3,3',4,4'-tetrachlorobiphenyl, chrysin, 6-methyl-1,3,8-trichlorodibenzofuran, and 3,3'-diindolylmethane also induce ERalpha-dependent transactivation. Moreover, in chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, these compounds induce binding of AhR and ERalpha to the CYP1A1 and pS2 gene promoters, which is consistent with their activities as both selective AhR modulators (SAhRMs) and selective ER modulators (SERMs).     

Cobalt chloride-induced estrogen receptor alpha down-regulation involves hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

The estrogen receptor (ER) is down-regulated under hypoxia via a proteasome-dependent pathway. We studied the mechanism of ERalpha degradation under hypoxic mimetic conditions. Cobalt chloride-induced ERalpha down-regulation was dependent on the expression of newly synthesized protein(s), one possibility of which was hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha). To examine the role of HIF-1alpha expression in ERalpha down-regulation under hypoxic-mimetic conditions, we used a constitutively active form of HIF-1alpha, HIF-1alpha/herpes simplex viral protein 16 (VP16), constructed by replacing the transactivation domain of HIF-1alpha with that of VP16. Western blot analysis revealed that HIF-1alpha/VP16 down-regulated ERalpha in a dose-dependent manner via a proteasome-dependent pathway. The kinase pathway inhibitors PD98059, U0126, wortmannin, and SB203580 did not affect the down-regulation. A mammalian two-hybrid screen and immunoprecipitation assays indicated that ERalpha interacted with HIF-1alpha physically. These results suggest that ERalpha down-regulation under hypoxia involves protein-protein interactions between the ERalpha and HIF-1alpha.     

Calnexin-dependent regulation of tunicamycin-induced apoptosis in breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has evolved specific mechanisms to ensure protein folding as well as the maintenance of its own homeostasis. When these functions are not achieved, specific ER stress signals are triggered to activate either adaptive or apoptotic responses. Here, we demonstrate that MCF-7 cells are resistant to tunicamycin-induced apoptosis. We show that the expression level of the ER chaperone calnexin can directly influence tunicamycin sensitivity in this cell line. Interestingly, the expression of a calnexin lacking the chaperone domain (DeltaE) partially restores their sensitivity to tunicamycin-induced apoptosis. Indeed, we show that DeltaE acts as a scaffold molecule to allow the cleavage of Bap31 and thus generate the proapoptotic p20 fragment. Utilizing the ability of MCF-7 cells to resist tunicamycin-induced apoptosis, we have characterized a molecular mechanism by which calnexin regulates ER-stress-mediated apoptosis in a manner independent of its chaperone functions but dependent of its binding to Bap31.     

Hormonal regulation of estrogen receptor messenger ribonucleic acid in T47Dco and MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Using a combination of hormone-binding assays, immunologic techniques, and mRNA hybridizations we have measured the estrogen receptor (ER) content and studied the hormonal regulation of ER mRNA in one estrogen responsive and one estrogen unresponsive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7 and T47Dco, respectively. Estradiol binding could be detected in cytosol from MCF-7 cells but not in T47Dco cells. However, when measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, T47Dco cells were found to contain approximately 15 fmol ER/mg cytosolic protein or 10% of the ER content in MCF-7 cells. Immunologically reactive ER in T47Dco cells was indistinguishable in size (approximately equal to 68 KD) from the ER in MCF-7 cells, as shown by Western blotting using a monoclonal antihuman ER antibody. Quantification of ER mRNA in MCF-7 and T47Dco cells indicated that T47Dco cells contained approximately 50% of the ER mRNA levels found in MCF-7 cells. This basal level of ER mRNA in T47Dco cells was not decreased by estradiol treatment, as opposed to in MCF-7 cells where estradiol caused 40-60% decrease in the ER mRNA expression. Also, estradiol did not increase the progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA levels in T47Dco cells whereas in MCF-7 cells an approximately 5-fold increase of the PR mRNA levels occurred after estradiol treatment. However, incubation of the cells with the synthetic progestin R5020 decreased the ER mRNA levels to approximately the same degree in both cell lines. In conclusion, we have shown that estrogen down-regulates ER mRNA and up-regulates PR mRNA in MCF-7 cells. Neither of these estrogenic effects were seen in T47Dco cells. It appears that the steroid-resistance in T47Dco cells does not occur as a consequence of a complete absence of ER mRNA or protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Mechanisms governing the accumulation of estrogen receptor alpha in MCF-7 breast cancer cells treated with hydroxytamoxifen and related antiestrogens

This study aimed at a better understanding of estrogen receptor alpha (ER) up regulation induced by partial estrogen antagonists. Effect of treatment with hydroxytamoxifen (OH-Tam) on ER level in MCF-7 cells was investigated by an approach combining ER measurement (enzyme immunoassay) and morphological demonstration (immunofluorescence). Furthermore, the influence of drug exposure on the rates of ER synthesis and degradation was assessed by determining [35S]methionine incorporated into the receptor in different experimental conditions (measurement of synthesis or pulse-chase experiments). ER up regulation was already induced by a 1-h pulse treatment with OH-Tam, thus a continuous exposure was not required. This process appeared reversible (i.e. ER accumulation due to OH-Tam rapidly vanished upon subsequent exposure to 17beta-estradiol (E2) or the pure antiestrogen RU 58668). While OH-Tam did not affect the rate of [35S]methionine incorporation into ER, it clearly caused an impairment of ER degradation (pulse-chase experiments) indicating that up regulation results from a stabilization of the receptor associated with the maintenance of its synthesis. Various tamoxifen derivatives, as well as a few related partial antiestrogens, were compared on the basis of binding ability and propensity to induce ER up regulation. A close relationship was found between both properties. Structure-activity analysis revealed that the capacity of these compounds to induce ER up regulation is associated with characteristics of their aminoalkyle side-chain, similar to those required for antiestrogenicity.     

Differential expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells chronically exposed to TCDD

Estrogens play a key role in the development and evolution of breast cancer tumors. Estrogen receptor alpha (ERalpha) mediates many of the biological activities of estrogens, and its expression is associated with low invasiveness and good prognosis. Recent epidemiological reports suggest that long-term exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is implicated in the increased incidence of breast cancer in exposed women. TCDD interferes with the expression of some ERalpha-dependent genes and inhibits estradiol (E2)- dependent growth of breast cancer cells in vitro. However, E2-dependent xenographs of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells resumed growth after a 2-week exposure to TCDD. The mechanisms involved in the resumption of cell growth are not completely understood. In this study, we show that short term-exposure (16 days) to 1 nM TCDD results in the suppression of ERalpha protein expression, while chronic exposure for more than 1 year (LTDX cells) results in the partial re-expression of the receptor. Immunocytochemistry studies showed that re-expression of ERalpha in LTDX cells occurred in some of the cells. Analysis by Western immunoblots indicated that four out of five LTDX clones expressed ERalpha at levels comparable to those in unexposed MCF-7 cells. Removal of TCDD treatment for 16 days restored the expression of ERalpha in the ERalpha-negative clonal cells. These results suggest that MCF-7 cells chronically exposed to TCDD contain at least two cell subpopulations that may respond differently to the ERalpha-mediated effects of TCDD.     

Androgens inhibit estrogen action in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

We have observed that the estrogen-dependent augmentation of cytoplasmic progesterone receptor (PR_c) content in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells is completely inhibited in the presence of testosterone (T) or dihydrotestosterone (DHT)¹. This effect is neither a result of altered PR_c affinity for test ligand nor a result of the direct interaction of either androgen with PR_c. Furthermore, the antiestrogenic activity of DHT is blocked in the presence of the antiandrogen, cyproterone, indicating that it is mediated through the androgen receptor. Further investigations of this cell line may provide important insights into the effects of sex steroids upon the hormonal regulation of a variety of healthy and malignant human tissues.     

Evidence of an estrogen receptor form devoid of estrogen binding ability in MCF-7 cells

In MCF-7 breast cancer cells, hydroxytamoxifen (OH-Tam) up-regulates the estrogen receptor (ER) in a form unable to bind [(3)H]estradiol (E(2)). We show here that this property is not restricted to this antiestrogen. [(3)H]E(2) binding assays (whole cell assays, DCC assays on cell extracts) and enzyme immunoassays (Abbott) performed in parallel, establish the permanent presence of such unusual ERs in the absence of any exposure of the cells to a ligand. E(2) and the pure antiestrogen RU 58 668, which down-regulate ER, also decrease [(3)H]E(2) binding. In control cells, these ERs represent about the half of the whole receptor population; they also display a tendency to stabilize within the cell nucleus. Loss of E(2) binding ability appears irreversible, since we failed to label receptor accumulated under OH-Tam with [(3)H]E(2) or [(3)H]tamoxifen aziridine (TAZ). Cycloheximide (CHX), which blocks E(2)-induced down regulation of ER, failed to stabilize [(3)H]E(2) binding (whole cell assay) after an [(3)H]E(2) pulse (1 h), confirming that regulation of E(2) binding and peptide level are related to different regulatory mechanisms. Loss of binding ability could not be ascribed to any ER cleavage as demonstrated by Western blotting with a panel of ER antibodies raised against its various domains (67 kDa ER solely detected). We propose that loss of E(2) binding ability is related to the aging process of the receptor, i.e. it is progressively converted to a form devoted to degradation after it has accomplished its physiological role. Ligands may favor (E(2), RU 58 668) or impede (OH-Tam) this elimination process.