EBP50 inhibits EGF-induced breast cancer cell proliferation by blocking EGFR phosphorylation

Ezrin-radixin-moesin-binding phosphoprotein-50 (EBP50) suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation, potentially through its regulatory effect on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling, although the mechanism by which this occurs remains unknown. Thus in our studies, we aimed to determine the effect of EBP50 expression on EGF-induced cell proliferation and activation of EGFR signaling in the breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. In MDA-MB-231 cells, which express low levels of EBP50, EBP50 overexpression inhibited EGF-induced cell proliferation, ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. In MCF-7 cells, which express high levels of EBP50, EBP50 knockdown promoted EGF-induced cell proliferation, ERK1/2 and AKT phosphorylation. Knockdown of EBP50 in EBP50-overexpressed MDA-MB-231 cells abrogated the inhibitory effect of EBP50 on EGF-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation and restoration of EBP50 expression in EBP50-knockdown MCF-7 cells rescued the inhibition of EBP50 on EGF-stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation, further confirming that the activation of EGF-induced downstream molecules could be specifically inhibited by EBP50 expression. Since EGFR signaling was triggered by EGF ligands via EGFR phosphorylation, we further detected the phosphorylation status of EGFR in the presence or absence of EBP50 expression. Overexpression of EBP50 in MDA-MB-231 cells inhibited EGF-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation, whereas knockdown of EBP50 in MCF-7 cells enhanced EGF-stimulated EGFR phosphorylation. Meanwhile, total expression levels of EGFR were unaffected during EGF stimulation. Taken together, our data shows that EBP50 can suppress EGF-induced proliferation of breast cancer cells by inhibiting EGFR phosphorylation and blocking EGFR downstream signaling in breast cancer cells. These results provide further insight into the molecular mechanism by which EBP50 regulates the development and progression of breast cancer.     

Effect of fetal bovine serum on erythropoietin receptor expression and viability of breast cancer cells

Erythropoietin receptors (EPORs) are present not only in erythrocyte precursors but also in non-hematopoietic cells including cancer cells. In this study, we determined the effect of fetal bovine serum (FBS) in culture medium on the EPOR expression and viability of the estrogen receptor (ER)-positive MCF-7 and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Using flow cytometry, we showed that the inclusion of 10% FBS in the medium increased the EPOR expressions and viabilities of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The MDA-MB-231 showed greater EPOR expression than MCF-7 cells, suggesting that the presence of ERs on cells is associated with poor expression of EPOR. Culture medium containing 10% FBS also caused increased number of breast cancer cells entering the synthesis phase of the cell cycle. The study also showed that rHuEPO treatment did not affect viability of breast cancer cells. In conclusion, it was shown that the inclusion of FBS in culture medium increased expression of EPOR in breast cancer cells and rHuEPO treatment had no effect on the proliferation of these cancer cells.     

L-leucine transport in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231): kinetics, regulation by estrogen and molecular identity of the transporter

The transport of L-leucine by two human breast cancer cell lines has been examined. L-leucine uptake by MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was via a BCH-sensitive, Na+ -independent pathway. L-leucine uptake by both cell lines was inhibited by L-alanine, D-leucine and to a lesser extent by L-lysine but not by L-proline. Estrogen (17beta-estradiol) stimulated L-leucine uptake by MCF-7 but not by MDA-MB-231 cells. L-leucine efflux from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was trans-stimulated by BCH in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect of external BCH on L-leucine efflux from both cell types was almost abolished by reducing the temperature from 37 to 4 degrees C. There was, however, a significant efflux of L-leucine under zero-trans conditions which was also temperature-sensitive. L-glutamine, L-leucine, D-leucine, L-alanine, AIB and L-lysine all trans-stimulated L-leucine release from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. In contrast, D-alanine and L-proline had little or no effect. The anti-cancer agent melphalan inhibited L-leucine uptake by MDA-MB-231 cells but had no effect on L-leucine efflux. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that LAT1 mRNA was approximately 200 times more abundant than LAT2 mRNA in MCF-7 cells and confirmed that MDA-MB-231 cells express LAT1 but not LAT2 mRNA. LAT1 mRNA levels were higher in MCF-7 cells than in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, LAT1 mRNA was more abundant than CD98hc mRNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The results suggest that system L is the major transporter for L-leucine in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. It is possible that LAT1 may be the major molecular correlate of system L in both cell types. However, not all of the properties of system L reflected those of LAT1/LAT2/CD98hc.     

Molecular Modification of Metadherin/MTDH Impacts the Sensitivity of Breast Cancer to Doxorubicin

BackgroundBreast cancer is a leading cause of death in women and with an increasing worldwide incidence. Doxorubicin, as a first-line anthracycline-based drug is conventional used on breast cancer clinical chemotherapy. However, the drug resistances limited the curative effect of the doxorubicin therapy in breast cancer patients, but the molecular mechanism determinants of breast cancer resistance to doxorubicin chemotherapy are not fully understood. In order to explore the association between metadherin (MTDH) and doxorubicin sensitivity, the differential expressions of MTDH in breast cancer cell lines and the sensitivity to doxorubicin of breast cancer cell lines were investigated.MethodsThe mRNA and protein expression of MTDH were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot in breast cancer cells such as MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, MDA-MB-435S, MCF-7/ADR cells. Once MTDH gene was knocked down by siRNA in MCF-7/ADR cells and overexpressed by MTDH plasmid transfection in MDA-MB-231 cells, the cell growth and therapeutic sensitivity of doxorubicin were evaluated using MTT and the Cell cycle assay and apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry.ResultsMCF-7/ADR cells revealed highly expressed MTDH and MDA-MB-231 cells had the lowest expression of MTDH. After MTDH gene was knocked down, the cell proliferation was inhibited, and the inhibitory rate of cell growth and apoptosis rate were enhanced, and the cell cycle arrest during the G0/G1 phase in the presence of doxorubicin treatment. On the other hand, the opposite results were observed in MDA-MB-231 cells with overexpressed MTDH gene.ConclusionMTDH gene plays a promoting role in the proliferation of breast cancer cells and its high expression may be associated with doxorubicin sensitivity of breast cancer.     

l-Leucine transport in human breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231): kinetics, regulation by estrogen and molecular identity of the transporter

The transport of l-leucine by two human breast cancer cell lines has been examined. l-Leucine uptake by MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was via a BCH-sensitive, Na⁺-independent pathway. l-Leucine uptake by both cell lines was inhibited by l-alanine, d-leucine and to a lesser extent by l-lysine but not by l-proline. Estrogen (17β-estradiol) stimulated l-leucine uptake by MCF-7 but not by MDA-MB-231 cells. l-Leucine efflux from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells was trans-stimulated by BCH in a dose-dependent fashion. The effect of external BCH on l-leucine efflux from both cell types was almost abolished by reducing the temperature from 37 to 4 °C. There was, however, a significant efflux of l-leucine under zero-trans conditions which was also temperature-sensitive. l-Glutamine, l-leucine, d-leucine, l-alanine, AIB and l-lysine all trans-stimulated l-leucine release from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. In contrast, d-alanine and l-proline had little or no effect. The anti-cancer agent melphalan inhibited l-leucine uptake by MDA-MB-231 cells but had no effect on l-leucine efflux. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that LAT1 mRNA was approximately 200 times more abundant than LAT2 mRNA in MCF-7 cells and confirmed that MDA-MB-231 cells express LAT1 but not LAT2 mRNA. LAT1 mRNA levels were higher in MCF-7 cells than in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, LAT1 mRNA was more abundant than CD98hc mRNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. The results suggest that system L is the major transporter for l-leucine in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. It is possible that LAT1 may be the major molecular correlate of system L in both cell types. However, not all of the properties of system L reflected those of LAT1/LAT2/CD98hc.     

Characterization of metabolic profile of intact non-tumor and tumor breast cells by high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

¹H high-resolution magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H HR–MAS NMR) spectroscopy was used to analyze the metabolic profile of an intact non-tumor breast cell line (MCF-10A) and intact breast tumor cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231). In the spectra of MCF-10A cells, six metabolites were assigned, with glucose and ethanol in higher concentrations. Fifteen metabolites were assigned in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 ¹H HR–MAS NMR spectra. They did not show glucose and ethanol, and the major component in both tumor cells was phosphocholine (higher in MDA-MB-231 than in MCF-7), which can be considered as a tumor biomarker of breast cancer malignant transformation. These tumor cells also show acetone signal that was higher in MDA-MB-231 cells than in MCF-7 cells. The high acetone level may be an indication of high demand for energy in MDA-MB-231 to maintain cell proliferation. The higher acetone and phosphocholine levels in MDA-MB-231 cells indicate the higher malignance of the cell line. Therefore, HR–MAS is a rapid reproducible method to study the metabolic profile of intact breast cells, with minimal sample preparation and contamination, which are critical in the analyses of slow-growth cells.     

Influence of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonists on human mammary carcinoma cell lines and their xenografts

The specific binding of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist in estradiol-dependent MCF-7 and estradiol-independent MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells has been studied using [3H]Ovurelin [(D-3H-Phe6),des-Gly10-LH-RH- ethylamide]. The results of Scatchard analyses suggest the presence of a single class of receptor sites, both in cell suspensions and membrane fractions. Evaluation of these peptide receptors appears to reflect additional characteristics of biological behaviour of these human breast cancer cells. The synthetic LH-RH agonist Ovurelin [(D-Phe6),des-Gly10-LH-RH-ethylamide] can directly interfere (25-30%) with the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in culture. The inhibitory effect of Ovurelin in vitro was negligible in the MCF-7 cell line. In the in vivo experiments the treated immunosuppressed mice bearing either MCF-7 or MDA-MB-231 xenografts responded to the high-dose LH-RH analogue Zoladex depot and Decapeptyl depot therapy. Since the MDA-MB-231 tumour was found to be ER-negative it seems possible that the regression of this xenograft results from the direct antitumor action of the LH-RH agonist.     

Chemotherapy cytotoxicity of human MCF-7 and MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells is altered by osteoblast-derived growth factors

One-third of women with breast cancer will develop bone metastases and eventually die from disease progression at these sites. Therefore, we analyzed the ability of human MG-63 osteoblast-like cells (MG-63 cells), MG-63 conditioned media (MG-63 CM), insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) to alter the effects of adriamycin on cell cycle and apoptosis of estrogen receptor negative (ER-) MDA-MB-231 and positive (ER+) MCF-7 breast cancer cells, using cell count, trypan blue exclusion, flow cytometry, detection of DNA fragmentation by simple agarose gel, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated nick end-labeling method for apoptosis (TUNEL assay). Adriamycin arrested MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells at G2/M phase in the cell cycle and inhibited cell growth. In addition, adriamycin arrested the MCF-7 cells at G1/G0 phase and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Exogenous IGF-I partially neutralized the adriamycin cytotoxicity/cytostasis of cancer cells. MG-63 CM and TGF-beta1 partially neutralized the adriamycin cytotoxicity of MDA-MB-231 cells but enhanced adriamycin blockade of MCF-7 cells at G1/G0 phase. MG-63 osteoblast-like cells inhibited growth of MCF-7 cells while promoting growth and rescued MDA-MB-231 cells from adriamycin apoptosis in a collagen co-culture system. These data suggest that osteoblast-derived growth factors can alter the chemotherapy response of breast cancer cells. Conceivably, host tissue (bone)-tumor cell interactions can modify the clinical response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced breast cancer.     

Osmoregulation of taurine efflux from cultured human breast cancer cells: comparison with volume activated Cl- efflux and regulation by extracellular ATP.

The properties and regulation of volume-activated taurine efflux from MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells have been investigated. Volume-activated taurine release from both cell lines was almost completely inhibited by diidosalicylate. DIDS , was more effective at inhibiting swelling-induced taurine release from MCF-7 than from MDA-MB-231 cells. On the basis of comparing taurine, Cl(-) and I(-) efflux time courses, it appears that volume-activated taurine efflux does not utilize volume-sensitive anion channels in MDA-MB- 231 and MCF-7 cells. Extracellular ATP stimulated volume-activated taurine release from MDA-MB-231 cells but not from MCF-7 cells. The effect of ATP was mimicked by UTP and was dependent upon external calcium and inhibited by suramin. However, suramin inhibited volume-activated taurine efflux from both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells even in the absence of exogenously added ATP suggesting that it acts directly on the taurine efflux pathway and/or is inhibiting the effect of ATP released from the cells. Volume-activated taurine efflux from MDA-MB-231 cells was stimulated by ionomycin. In contrast, ionomycin had no effect on taurine release from MCF-7 cells. Adenosine also stimulated volume-activated taurine efflux from MDA-MB-231 cells. The results suggest that purines regulate taurine transport in MDA-MB- 231 cells via more than one type of receptor.     

Stimulation of growth of human breast cancer cell lines in culture by linoleic acid

Linoleic acid, an omega-6 unsaturated fatty acid, stimulated growth of the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cell lines in culture. Responses of the estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 cells both in serum-free medium and with 1% fetal bovine serum added were positively correlated with linoleic acid concentration over the entire range examined (5-750 ng/ml). Growth stimulation of the estrogen-responsive MCF-7 cell line was maximal at a LA concentration of 500 ng/ml when cultured in 1% fetal bovine serum-containing medium with added estradiol. Linoleic acid had no mitogenic effect on three human cancer cell lines derived from sites other than breast, or on untransformed 3T3 cells.     

Inhibition of stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity by the cis-9,trans-11 isomer and the trans-10,cis-12 isomer of conjugated linoleic acid in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a collective term for a group of positional and geometric conjugated dienoic isomers of linoleic acid. CLA has been shown to have strong inhibitory effects on mammary carcinogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we investigated the regulation of human stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD, EC 1.14.99.5) expression by CLA in human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7. Treatment of the cells with the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers (45 microM) did not repress SCD mRNA in both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. However, the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers significantly decreased SCD protein levels and SCD activity in MDA-MB-231 cells. In MCF-7 cells, both isomers did not affect protein levels, but they inhibited SCD activity. These results suggest that in MDA-MB-231 cells the cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 CLA isomers regulate human SCD by reducing SCD protein levels, while in MCF-7 cells both isomers have a direct inhibitory effect on SCD enzyme activity.     

Different anticancer effects of Saxifragifolin A on estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer cells

BackgroundBreast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. For treating breast cancer, numerous natural products have been considered as chemotherapeutic drugs.Hypothesis/purposeThe present study aims to investigate the apoptotic effect of Saxifragifolin A (Saxi A) isolated from Androsace umbellata in two different human breast cancer cells which are ER-positive MCF-7 cells and ER-negative MDA-MB-231 cells, and examine the molecular basis for its anticancer actions.Study designThe inhibitory effects of Saxi A on cell survival were examined in MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro.MethodsMTT assays, Annexin V/PI staining analysis, ROS production assay, Hoechst33342 staining and Western blot analysis were performed.ResultsOur results showed that MDA-MB-231 cells were more sensitive to Saxi A-induced apoptosis than MCF-7 cells. Saxi A induced apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells through ROS-mediated and caspase-dependent pathways, whereas treatment with Saxi A induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells in a caspase-independent manner. In spite of Saxi A-induced activation of MAPKs in both breast cancer cell lines, only p38 MAPK and JNK mediated Saxi A-induced apoptosis. In addition, cell survival of shERα-transfected MCF-7 cells was decreased, while MDA-MB-231 cells that overexpress ERα remained viable.ConclusionSaxi A inhibits cell survival in MCF-7 cells and MDA-MB-231 cells through different regulatory pathway, and ERα status appears to be important for regulating Saxi A-induced apoptosis in breast cancer cells. Thus, Saxi A may have a potential therapeutic use for treating breast cancer.     

Context dependent reversion of tumor phenotype by connexin-43 expression in MDA-MB231 cells and MCF-7 cells: Role of β-catenin/connexin43 association

Connexins (Cx), gap junction (GJ) proteins, are regarded as tumor suppressors, and Cx43 expression is often down regulated in breast tumors. We assessed the effect of Cx43 over-expression in 2D and 3D cultures of two breast adenocarcinoma cell lines: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. While Cx43 over-expression decreased proliferation of 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 by 56% and 80% respectively, MDA-MB-231 growth was not altered in 2D cultures, but exhibited 35% reduction in 3D cultures. C-terminus truncated Cx43 did not alter proliferation. Untransfected MCF-7 cells formed spherical aggregates in 3D cultures, and MDA-MB-231 cells formed stellar aggregates. However, MCF-7 cells over-expressing Cx43 formed smaller sized clusters and Cx43 expressing MDA-MB-231 cells lost their stellar morphology. Extravasation ability of both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells was reduced by 60% and 30% respectively. On the other hand, silencing Cx43 in MCF10A cells, nonneoplastic human mammary cell line, increased proliferation in both 2D and 3D cultures, and disrupted acinar morphology. Although Cx43 over-expression did not affect total levels of β-catenin, α-catenin and ZO-2, it decreased nuclear levels of β-catenin in 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 cells, and in 3D cultures of MDA-MB-231 cells. Cx43 associated at the membrane with α-catenin, β-catenin and ZO-2 in 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 cells, and only in 3D conditions in MDA-MB-231 cells. This study suggests that Cx43 exerts tumor suppressive effects in a context-dependent manner where GJ assembly with α-catenin, β-catenin and ZO-2 may be implicated in reducing growth rate, invasiveness, and, malignant phenotype of 2D and 3D cultures of MCF-7 cells, and 3D cultures of MDA-MB-231 cells, by sequestering β-catenin away from nucleus.     

Production of sulfated proteoglycans by human breast cancer cell lines: Binding to fibroblast growth factor-2

The cellular distribution and nature of proteoglycans synthesised by human breast cancer cells in culture were studied. Proteoglycans were labelled with [³⁵S] sulfate, purified, and characterised after ion-exchange chromatography followed by gel-filtration chromatography and treatment with glycosaminoglycan degrading enzymes. Proteoglycans were isolated from the culture medium and from cell layers of the hormono-dependent well-differentiated MCF-7 cell line, the hormono-independent poorly-differentiated MDA-MB-231 and the HBL-100 cell line which is derived from non malignant breast epithelium. HBL-100 and MDA-MB-231 cells produced larger amounts of proteoglycans which had a lower degree of sulfation than MCF-7 cells. Gel-filtration chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B indicated that HBL-100 and MDA-MB-231 cells accumulated cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG), with a high apparent molecular weight (K_av 0.1). In contrast, the MCF-7 cell monolayers synthesised small sulfated macromolecules (K_av 0.4) which possessed mostly chondroitin sulfate chains. Moreover, considerable differences in the nature of the sulfated proteoglycans released into the culture medium of these breast epithelial cell lines were observed. MCF-7 cells released into the culture medium HSPG as the main proteoglycan component while MDA-MB-231 and HBL-100 cells released mainly chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans. In these three cell lines, medium-released sulfated macromolecules have a higher hydrodynamic size than cell-associated ones. Proteoglycans purified by ion-exchange chromatography were tested for their ability to bind ¹²⁵I FGF-2. We demonstrated that HBL-100 and MDA-MB-231 cells bind more FGF-2 to their heparan sulfate proteoglycans than MCF-7 cells. Taken together, these results suggest that differences in proteoglycan synthesis of human breast epithelial cells could be responsible for differences in their proliferative and/or invasive properties. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:605–617. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Placental Kisspeptins Differentially Modulate Vital Parameters of Estrogen Receptor-Positive and -Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Kisspeptins (KPs) are major regulators of trophoblast and cancer invasion. Thus far, limited and conflicting data are available on KP-mediated modulation of breast cancer (BC) metastasis; mostly based on synthetic KP-10, the most active fragment of KP. Here, we report for the first time comprehensive functional effects of term placental KPs on proliferation, adhesion, Matrigel invasion, motility, MMP activity and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in MDA-MB-231 (estrogen receptor-negative) and MCF-7 (estrogen receptor-positive). KPs were expressed at high level by term placental syncytiotrophoblasts and released in soluble form. Placental explant conditioned medium containing KPs (CM) significantly reduced proliferation of both cell types compared to CM without (w/o) KP (CM-w/o KP) in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In MDA-MB-231 cells, placental KPs significantly reduced adhesive properties, while increased MMP9 and MMP2 activity and stimulated invasion. Increased invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 cells after CM treatment was inhibited by KP receptor antagonist, P-234. CM significantly reduced motility of MCF-7 cells at all time points (2–30 hr), while it stimulated motility of MDA-MB-231 cells. These effects were reversed by P-234. Co-treatment with selective ER modulators, Tamoxifen and Raloxifene, inhibited the effect of CM on motility of MCF-7 cells. The level of IL-6 in supernatant of MCF-7 cells treated with CM was higher compared to those treated with CM-w/o KP. Both cell types produced more IL-8 after treatment with CM compared to those treated with CM-w/o KP. Taken together, our observations suggest that placental KPs differentially modulate vital parameters of estrogen receptor-positive and -negative BC cells possibly through modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine production.     

Possible role of Pax-6 in promoting breast cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis

Pax 6, a member of the paired box (Pax) family, has been implicated in oncogenesis. However, its therapeutic potential has been never examined in breast cancer. To explore the role of Pax6 in breast cancer development, a lentivirus based short hairpin RNA (shRNA) delivery system was used to knockdown Pax6 expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (MCF-7) and ER-negative (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells. Effect of Pax6 silencing on breast cancer cell proliferation and tumorigenesis was analyzed. Pax6-RNAi-lentivirus infection remarkably downregulated the expression levels of Pax6 mRNA and protein in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. Accordingly, the cell viability, DNA synthesis, and colony formation were strongly suppressed, and the tumorigenesis in xenograft nude mice was significantly inhibited. Moreover, tumor cells were arrested at G0/G1 phase after Pax6 was knocked down. Pax6 facilitates important regulatory roles in breast cancer cell proliferation and tumor progression, and could serve as a diagnostic marker for clinical investigation.     

Pyruvate Carboxylase Is Up-Regulated in Breast Cancer and Essential to Support Growth and Invasion of MDA-MB-231 Cells

Pyruvate carboxylase (PC) is an anaplerotic enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation of pyruvate to oxaloacetate, which is crucial for replenishing tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates when they are used for biosynthetic purposes. We examined the expression of PC by immunohistochemistry of paraffin-embedded breast tissue sections of 57 breast cancer patients with different stages of cancer progression. PC was expressed in the cancerous areas of breast tissue at higher levels than in the non-cancerous areas. We also found statistical association between the levels of PC expression and tumor size and tumor stage (P < 0.05). The involvement of PC with these two parameters was further studied in four breast cancer cell lines with different metastatic potentials; i.e., MCF-7, SKBR3 (low metastasis), MDA-MB-435 (moderate metastasis) and MDA-MB-231 (high metastasis). The abundance of both PC mRNA and protein in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cells was 2-3-fold higher than that in MCF-7 and SKBR3 cells. siRNA-mediated knockdown of PC expression in MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435 cells resulted in a 50% reduction of cell proliferation, migration and in vitro invasion ability, under both glutamine-dependent and glutamine-depleted conditions. Overexpression of PC in MCF-7 cells resulted in a 2-fold increase in their proliferation rate, migration and invasion abilities. Taken together the above results suggest that anaplerosis via PC is important for breast cancer cells to support their growth and motility.