TUMOR-TARGETING PEPTIDE-PNA-PEPTIDE CHIMERAS FOR IMAGING OVEREXPRESSED ONCOGENE mRNAS

We have optimized a method involving continuous solid phase synthesis of chelator-peptide-PNA-peptide probes in order to noninvasively image oncogene mRNAs overexpressed in tumors. The PNA (peptide nucleic acid) probes carry cyclized peptide ligand analogs specific for receptors overexpressed on malignant breast or colorectal cancer cells, and chelators to bind radioactive metal ions, or a fluorophore. In vivo scintigraphic imaging of MCF7 xenografts in immunocompromised mice indicated that CCND1 and MYC [^99mTc]chelator-PNA-D(CSKC) probes concentrated in MCF7 cells up to 7 times more than the corresponding mismatch controls.     

Noninvasive molecular imaging of MYC mRNA expression in human breast cancer xenografts with a [99mTc]peptide-peptide nucleic acid-peptide chimera

Human estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells typically display elevated levels of Myc protein due to overexpression of MYC mRNA, and elevated insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) due to overexpression of IGF1R mRNA. We hypothesized that scintigraphic detection of MYC peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes with an IGF1 peptide loop on the C-terminus, and a [99mTc]chelator peptide on the N-terminus, could measure levels of MYC mRNA noninvasively in human IGF1R-overexpressing MCF7 breast cancer xenografts in nude mice. We prepared the chelator-MYC PNA-IGF1 peptide, as well as a 4-nt mismatch PNA control, by solid-phase synthesis. We imaged MCF7 xenografts scintigraphically and measured the distribution of [99mTc]probes by scintillation counting of dissected tissues. MCF7 xenografts in nude mice were visualized at 4 and 24 h after tail vein administration of the [99mTc]PNA probe specific for MYC mRNA, but not with the mismatch control. The [99mTc]probes distributed normally to the kidneys, livers, tumors, and other tissues. Molecular imaging of oncogene mRNAs in solid tumors with radiolabel-PNA-peptide chimeras might provide additional genetic characterization of preinvasive and invasive breast cancers.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of benzimidazole derivatives as the G9a Histone Methyltransferase inhibitors that induce autophagy and apoptosis of breast cancer cells

G9a (also known as KMT1C or EHMT2) is initially identified as a H3K9 methyltransferase that specifically mono- and dimethylates 'Lys-9’ of histone H3 (H3K9me1 and H3K9me2, respectively) in euchromatin. It is overexpressed in various human cancers and employed as a promising target in cancer therapy. We discovered a benzoxazole scaffold through virtual high-throughput screening, and designed, synthesized 24 derivatives and investigated for inhibition of G9a. After several rounds of kinase and anti-proliferative activity screening, we discovered a potent G9a antagonist (GA001) with an IC₅₀ value of 1.32 μM that could induce autophagy via AMPK in MCF7 cells. In addition, we found high concentration of GA001 could induce apoptosis via p21-Bim signal cascades in MCF7 cells. Our results highlight a new approach for the development of a novel drug targeting G9a with a potential to induce autophagy and apoptosis for future breast cancer therapy.     

端粒酶反义cDNA对乳腺癌细胞恶性表型的影响

 为了进一步探讨端粒酶在肿瘤发生中的作用 ,实验应用反义核酸技术研究端粒酶反义cDNA对乳腺癌细胞MCF 7恶性表型的影响 采用的方法包括 :基因重组、脂质体共转染法获得端粒酶反义重组病毒 ,病毒感染MCF 7后 ,检测细胞的生长曲线、细胞周期及集落形成能力 结果表明 ,与对照组细胞相比 ,反义病毒感染后的MCF 7细胞恶性表型明显降低 提示端粒酶RNA的反义cDNA的导入 ,可以显著抑制乳腺癌细胞恶性表型     

The nucleoside analog sangivamycin induces apoptotic cell death in breast carcinoma MCF7/adriamycin-resistant cells via protein kinase Cdelta and JNK activation

Sangivamycin has shown a potent antiproliferative activity against a variety of human cancers. However, little is known about the mechanism of action underlying its antitumor activity. Here we demonstrate that sangivamycin has differential antitumor effects in drug-sensitive MCF7/wild type (WT) cells, causing growth arrest, and in multidrug-resistant MCF7/adriamycin-resistant (ADR) human breast carcinoma cells, causing massive apoptotic cell death. Comparisons between the effects of sangivamycin on these two cell lines allowed us to identify the mechanism underlying the apoptotic antitumor effect. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis indicated that sangivamycin induced cell cycle arrest in the G(2)/M phase in MCF7/ADR cells. A marked induction of c-Jun expression as well as phosphorylation of c-Jun and JNK was observed after sangivamycin treatment of MCF7/ADR cells but not MCF7/WT cells. Sangivamycin also induced cleavage of lamin A and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in MCF7/ADR cells, probably via activation of caspase-6, -7, and -9. Pretreatment with a caspase-9-specific inhibitor or pan-caspase inhibitor abolished sangivamycin-induced cleavage of lamin A and PARP but not sangivamycin induction of c-Jun expression and phosphorylation. Pretreatment of MCF7/ADR cells with SP600125, a specific inhibitor of JNK, or with rottlerin, a specific inhibitor of protein kinase Cdelta (PKCdelta), significantly reduced the sangivamycin-induced apoptosis and almost completely abolished sangivamycin-induced phosphorylation of c-Jun and cleavage of lamin A and PARP. Transfection of MCF7/ADR cells with PKCdelta small interfering RNAs or PKCdelta antibody or rottlerin pretreatment significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of JNK. Taken together, our data suggest that sangivamycin induces mitochondria-mediated apoptotic cell death of MCF7/ADR cells via activation of JNK in a protein kinase Cdelta-dependent manner.     

Role of calpain-9 and PKC-δ in the apoptotic mechanism of lumen formation in CEACAM1 transfected breast epithelial cells

CEACAM1-4S (carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1) is a type I membrane protein with a short (12-amino acid) cytoplasmic tail. Wild type CEACAM1-4S-transfected MCF7 cells form glands with lumena when grown in 3D culture, while null mutations of two putative phosphorylation sites (T457A and S459A) in the cytoplasmic domain fail to undergo lumen formation. When gene chip analysis was performed on mRNA isolated from both wild type and T457A,S459A mutated CEACAM1-4S-transfected MCF7 cells grown in 3D culture, calpain-9 (CAPN9) was identified out of over 400 genes with a > 2 log 2 difference as a potential inducer of lumen formation. Inhibition of CAPN9 expression in MCF7/CEACAM1-4S cells by RNAi or by calpeptin or PD150606 inhibited lumen formation. Transfection of CAPN9 into wild type MCF7 cells restores lumen formation demonstrating that calpain-9 may play a critical role in lumen formation. Additionally, we demonstrate that the apoptosis related kinase, PKC-δ, is activated by proteolytic cleavage during lumen formation exclusively in wild type CEACAM1-4S-transfected MCF7 cells grown in 3D culture and that lumen formation is inhibited by either RNAi to PKC-δ or by the PKC-δ inhibitor rottlerin.     

Insulin receptor substrate 1 knockdown in human MCF7 ER+ breast cancer cells by nuclease-resistant IRS1 siRNA conjugated to a disulfide-bridged D-peptide analogue of insulin-like growth factor 1

IRS-1 overexpression has been associated with breast cancer development, hormone independence and antiestrogen resistance. IRS-1 is a major downstream signaling protein for insulin and IGF1 receptors, conveying signals to PI-3K/Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. In estrogen-sensitive breast cancer cell lines, the widely used antiestrogen tamoxifen treatment reduces IRS-1 expression and function, thereby inhibiting IRS-1/PI-3K signaling. IRS-1 may serve as an alternative target to overexpressed IGF1R in breast cancer. While siRNA technology has become commonplace in many laboratories for in vitro gene knockdown studies, and in vivo stability issues are largely solved, its use in vivo is limited by an inability to efficiently and specifically deliver it to the intended site of action. We previously reported reduced survival of human MCF7 estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells treated with a normal IRS1 siRNA delivered by a cationic lipid, plus an additive effect in combination with tamoxifen. We now report enhanced cellular uptake, relative to the unconjugated serum-stabilized IRS1 siRNA, of a serum-stabilized IRS1 siRNA conjugated with our previously characterized peptide mimetic of IGF1, D-(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys), without the use of cationic lipids or electroporation, in MCF7 cells that overexpress IGF1R. Excess native IGF1 blocked uptake. An IRS1 siRNA cholesterol conjugate, targeted universally to cell membranes, was taken up by MCF7 cells as much as the peptide mimetic conjugate. IRS1 mRNA knockdown and IRS-1 protein knockdown were comparable for the IGF1 peptide and cholesterol conjugates. The unconjugated serum-stabilized IRS1 siRNA control showed negligible effects. Viability assays showed additive effects of siRNA treatment in combination with tamoxifen. In summary, we have taken the first step in converting an siRNA into a pharmacologically active agent for breast cancer.     

Cis-retinol dehydrogenase: 9-cis-retinol metabolism and its effect on proliferation of human MCF7 breast cancer cells

9-Cis-retinoic acid (RA) suppresses cancer cell proliferation via binding and activation of nuclear receptors, retinoid X receptors (RXRs). In vivo, 9-cis-RA is formed through oxidation of 9-cis-retinol by cis-retinol dehydrogenase (cRDH), an enzyme that we characterized previously. Since 9-cis-RA is a potent inhibitor of breast cancer cell proliferation, we hypothesized that overexpression of cRDH in breast cancer cells would result in increased production of 9-cis-RA, which in turn would suppress cell proliferation. To investigate this hypothesis, MCF7 human breast carcinoma cells were transduced with cRDH cDNA (LRDHSN/MCF7), and the growth kinetics and retinoid profiles of cells were examined following treatment with 9-cis-retinol. LRDHSN/MCF7 cells showed a marked reduction in cell numbers (60-80%) upon treatment with 9-cis-retinol compared to vehicle alone. Within 24 h of treatment, approximately 75% of the 9-cis-retinol was taken up and metabolized by LRDHSN/MCF7 cells. Despite the rapid uptake and oxidation of 9-cis-retinol to 9-cis-retinal, 9-cis-RA was not formed in these cells. We detect at least one novel metabolite formed from both 9-cis-retinol and 9-cis-retinal that may play a role in inhibition of MCF7 cell proliferation. Our studies demonstrate that 9-cis-retinol in combination with cRDH inhibits breast cancer cell proliferation by production of retinol metabolites other than RA.     

Annexin-A1 Regulates MicroRNA-26b* and MicroRNA-562 to Directly Target NF-κB and Angiogenesis in Breast Cancer Cells

Annexin 1 (ANXA1) is an endogenous anti-inflammatory protein implicated in cancer. ANXA1 was previously shown to be regulated by hsa-miR-196a. However, whether ANXA1 itself regulates microRNA (miR) expression is unknown. Therefore, we investigated the regulation of miR by ANXA1 in MCF7 breast cancer cells. MCF7-EV (Empty vector) and MCF7-V5 (ANXA1-V5 expressing cells) were subjected to a miR microarray. Microarray analysis revealed a number of miRNAs which were dysregulated in MCF7-V5 cells. 2 novel miRNAs (miR562 and miR26b*) were validated, cloned and functionally characterized. As ANXA1 constitutively activates NF-κB activity to modulate breast cancer metastasis, we found that miR26b* and miR562 directly targeted the canonical NF-κB pathway by targeting the 3′ UTR and inhibiting expression of Rel A (p65) and NF-κB1 (p105) respectively. MiR562 inhibited wound healing, which was reversed when ANXA1 was overexpressed. Overexpression of either miR562 or miR26b* in MCF-7 cells enhanced endothelial tube formation when cocultured with human umbilical cord endothelial cells while conversely, treatment of MCF7 cells with either anti-miR562 or anti-miR26b* inhibited endothelial tube formation after co-culture. Further analysis of miR562 revealed that miR562-transfected cell conditioned media enhances endothelial cell tube formation, indicating that miR562 increased angiogenic secreted factors from MCF-7 breast tumor cells. TNFα was increased upon overexpression of miR562, which was reversed when ANXA1 was co-transfected In conclusion, this data suggests that ANXA1-regulated miR26b* and miR562 may play a role in wound healing and tumor-induced endothelial cell tube formation by targeting NF-κB expression and point towards a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.     

The 7-amino-acid site in the proline-rich region of the N-terminal domain of p53 is involved in the interaction with FAK and is critical for p53 functioning

It is known that p53 alterations are commonly found in tumour cells. Another marker of tumorigenesis is FAK (focal adhesion kinase), a non-receptor kinase that is overexpressed in many types of tumours. Previously we determined that the N-terminal domain of FAK physically interacted with the N-terminal domain of p53. In the present study, using phage display, sitedirected mutagenesis, pulldown and immunoprecipitation assays we localized the site of FAK binding to a 7-amino-acid region(amino acids 65-71) in the N-terminal proline-rich domain of human p53. Mutation of the binding site in p53 reversed the suppressive effect of FAK on p53-mediated transactivation ofp21, BAX (Bcl-2-associated X protein) and Mdm2 (murine double minute 2) promoters. In addition, to functionally test this p53 site, we conjugated p53 peptides [wild-type (containing the wild-type binding site) and mutant (with a mutated 7-aminoacid binding site)] to a TAT peptide sequence to penetrate the cells, and demonstrated that the wild-type p53 peptide disrupted binding of FAK and p53 proteins and significantly inhibited cell viability of HCT116 p53+/+ cells compared with the control mutant peptide and HCT116 p53-/- cells. Furthermore, the TAT-p53 peptide decreased the viability of MCF-7 cells, whereas the mutant peptide did not cause this effect. Normal fibroblast p53+/+ and p53-/- MEF (murine embryonic fibroblast) cells and breast MCF10A cells were not sensitive to p53 peptide. Thus, for the first time, we have identified the binding site of the p53 andFAK interaction and have demonstrated that mutating this site and targeting the site with peptides affects p53 functioning and viability in the cells.     

Modulation of in situ estrogen synthesis by proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein-1: potential estrogen receptor autocrine signaling loop in breast cancer cells

In situ estrogen synthesis is implicated in tumor cell proliferation through autocrine or paracrine mechanisms especially in postmenopausal women. Several recent studies demonstrated activity of aromatase, an enzyme that plays a critical role in estrogen synthesis in breast tumors. Proline-, glutamic acid-, and leucine-rich protein-1 (PELP1/MNAR) is an estrogen receptor (ER) coregulator, and its expression is deregulated in breast tumors. In this study, we examined whether PELP1 promotes tumor growth by promoting local estrogen synthesis using breast cancer cells (MCF7) that stably overexpress PELP1. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased aromatase expression in MCF7-PELP1-induced xenograft tumors. Real-time PCR analysis showed enhanced activation of the aromatase promoter in MCF7-PELP1 clones compared with MCF7 cells. Using a tritiated-water release assay, we demonstrated that MCF7-PELP1 clones exhibit increased aromatase activity compared with control MCF-7 cells. PELP1 deregulation uniquely up-regulated aromatase expression via activation of aromatase promoter I.3/II, and growth factor signaling enhanced PELP1 activation of aromatase. PELP1-mediated induction of aromatase requires functional Src and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase pathways. Mechanistic studies revealed that PELP1 interactions with ER-related receptor-alpha and proline-rich nuclear receptor coregulatory protein 2 lead to activation of aromatase. Immunohistochemistry analysis of breast tumor array showed increased expression of aromatase in ductal carcinoma in situ and node-positive tumors compared with no or weak expression in normal breast tissue. Fifty-four percent (n = 79) of PELP1-overexpressing tumors also overexpressed aromatase compared with 36% (n = 47) in PELP1 low-expressing tumors. Our results suggest that PELP1 regulation of aromatase represents a novel mechanism for in situ estrogen synthesis leading to tumor proliferation by autocrine loop and open a new avenue for ablating local aromatase activity in breast tumors.     

Identification of potential tumor differentiation factor (TDF) receptor from steroid-responsive and steroid-resistant breast cancer cells

Tumor differentiation factor (TDF) is a recently discovered protein, produced by the pituitary gland and secreted into the bloodstream. TDF and TDF-P1, a 20-amino acid peptide selected from the open reading frame of TDF, induce differentiation in human breast and prostate cancer cells but not in other cells. TDF protein has no identified site of action or receptor, and its mechanism of action is unknown. Here, we used TDF-P1 to purify and identify potential TDF receptor (TDF-R) candidates from MCF7 steroid-responsive breast cancer cells and non-breast HeLa cancerous cells using affinity purification chromatography (AP), and mass spectrometry (MS). We identified four candidate proteins from the 70-kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) family in MCF7 cells. Experiments in non-breast HeLa cancerous cells did not identify any TDF-R candidates. AP and MS experiments were validated by AP and Western blotting (WB). We additionally looked for TDF-R in steroid-resistant BT-549 cells and human dermal fibroblasts (HDF-a) using AP and WB. TDF-P1 interacts with potential TDF-R candidates from MCF7 and BT-549 breast cells but not from HeLa or HDF-a cells. Immunofluorescence (IF) experiments identified GRP78, a TDF-R candidate, at the cell surface of MCF7, BT-549 breast cells, and HeLa cells but not HDF-a cells. IF of other HSP70 proteins demonstrated labeling on all four cell types. These results point toward GRP78 and HSP70 proteins as strong TDF-R candidates and suggest that TDF interacts with its receptor, exclusively on breast cells, through a steroid-independent pathway.     

Methyltransferase inhibitor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine sensitizes human breast carcinoma MCF7 cells and related TNF-resistant derivatives to TNF-mediated cytotoxicity via the ceramide-independent pathway.

In this study we investigated the signalling requirements for TNF-induced cytotoxicity modulated by the methyltransferase inhibitor S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (AdoHcy) using the TNF-sensitive human breast carcinoma MCF7 cells and its established TNF-resistant clones (R-A1 and clone 1001). Our data indicate that inhibition of methylation reactions by adenosine plus homocysteine, which are known to condense within cells to AdoHcy, markedly potentiated TNF-induced cytotoxicity in MCF7 cells and rendered related TNF-resistant variants, TNF-sensitive by a mechanism independent from the ceramide pathway. We demonstrated that the dominant-negative derivative of FADD (FADD-DN) blocked methylation inhibition/TNF-induced cell death. Moreover, TNF-mediated cytotoxicity modulated by AdoHcy was blocked by the ICE-inhibiting peptide z-VAD-fmk, suggesting that an ICE-like protease is required for the methylation inhibition/TNF-inducible death pathway. In conclusion, these results suggest that the methyltransferase inhibitor AdoHcy potentiates TNF-induced cytotoxicity in MCF7 cells and renders TNF-resistant MCF7 clones, TNF-sensitive via the ceramide independent pathway and that FADD and the ICE-like protease are likely necessary components in transducing methylation inhibition/TNF signals for cell death.     

Lectin of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) promotes selective antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells

The anti-tumor effects of a newly-discovered lectin, isolated from okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (AEL), were investigated in human breast cancer (MCF7) and skin fibroblast (CCD-1059 sk) cells. AEL induced significant cell growth inhibition (63 %) in MCF7 cells. The expression of pro-apoptotic caspase-3, caspase-9, and p21 genes was increased in MCF7 cells treated with AEL, compared to those treated with controls. In addition, AEL treatment increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in MCF7 cells. Flow cytometry also indicated that cell death (72 %) predominantly occurred through apoptosis. Thus, AEL in its native form promotes selective antitumor effects in human breast cancer cells and may represent a potential therapeutic to combat human breast cancer.     

Quantitative comparison of PTH1R in breast cancer MCF7 and osteosarcoma SaOS-2 cell lines

The aim of the present study was to compare the classical parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH/PTHrP) receptors in MCF7 breast cancer cells with SaOS-2 osteosarcoma cell line. Quantitative binding showed that (125)I-PTHrP-1-34(Tyr) binds with a single binding site in both cells. However (125)I-PTHrP-1-34(Tyr) has higher affinity binding in MCF7 (K(D) = 1.88 +/- 0.08 nM) than in SaOS-2 cells (K(D) = 4.4 +/- 0.185 nM). The competitive binding using 3.3 nM (125)I-PTHrP-1-34(Tyr) with increasing amounts (0.33-33 nM) of unlabelled human PTHrP-1-34, PTHrP-7-34, PTHrP-1-86 His(5)-PTHrP-1-36, His(5)-Phe(23)-PTHrP-1-36 or PTH-1-34 revealed different displacements. In SaOS-2 the PTHrP-7-34 and PTHrP-1-86 caused similar displacement compared with 73% by PTH-1-34 and 70% by PTHrP-1-34. However, in MCF7, PTHrP-7-34, PTHrP-1-86 and PTH-1-34 displaced by 54%, 72% and 67%, respectively, compared to 87% by PTHrP-1-34. The His(5)-Phe(23)-PTHrP-1-36 caused an increase in the K(D) from 2.0 +/- 0.03 nM to 2.75 +/- 0.045 nM in MCF7 cells, but had no significant effect in SaOS-2 cells. The PTH/PTHrP receptor in both cell lines revealed a single 85 KDa band with different intensity. Our results suggest that the PTH/PTHrP receptor in MCF7 cells has higher binding affinity for PTHrP than PTH compared to the receptor in SaOS-2 cells.     

Phosphorylation of myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 activates the MAPK signaling pathway and induces proliferation and migration in human breast cancer MCF7 cells

Myofibrillogenesis regulator-1 (MR-1) has been characterized as a tumor promoter in many cancers. However, its mechanism of action has not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that MR-1 is overexpressed in human breast cancer cells and participates in tumor promotion in human breast cancer MCF7 cells by activating the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. MR-1 interacts with MEK1/2 and ERK1, and its N-terminal sequence plays a major role in promoting the MEK/ERK cascade. Furthermore, six phosphorylation sites of MR-1 were identified, and phosphorylation at S46 was shown to be critical for the activation of MEK/ERK. Therefore, our findings suggest that MR-1 functions as a tumor promoter in MCF7 cells by activating the MEK/ERK signaling.     

Breast cancer cells expressing stem cell markers CD44<Superscript>+</Superscript> CD24<Superscript>lo</Superscript> are eliminated by Numb-1 peptide-activated T cells

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are resistant to chemo- and radiotherapy. To eliminate cells with phenotypic markers of CSC-like we characterized: (1) expression of CD44, CD24, CD133 and MIC-A/B (NKG2 receptors) in breast (MCF7) and ovarian (SK-OV-3) cells resistant to gemcitabine (GEM), paclitaxel (PTX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and (2) their elimination by Numb- and Notch-peptide activated CTL. The number of cells in all populations with the luminal CSC phenotype [epithelial specific antigen⁺ (ESA) CD44^hi CD24^lo, CD44^hi CD133⁺, and CD133⁺ CD24^lo] increased in drug-resistant MCF7 and SK-OV-3 cells. Similarly, the number of cells with expressed MIC-A/B increased 4 times in drug-resistant tumor cells compared with drug-sensitive cells. GEM^Res MCF7 cells had lower levels of the Notch-1-extracellular domain (NECD) and Notch trans-membrane intracellular domain (TMIC) than GEM^Sens MCF7. The levels of Numb, and Numb-L-[P]-Ser²⁶⁵ were similar in GEM^Res and GEM^Sens MCF7 cells. Only the levels of Numb-L (long)-Ser²⁹⁵ decreased slightly. This finding suggests that Notch-1 cleavage to TMIC is inhibited in GEM^Res MCF7 cells. PBMC activated by natural immunogenic peptides Notch-1 (2112–2120) and Numb-1 (87–95) eliminated NICD^positive, CD24^hi CD24^lo MCF7 cells. It is likely that the immunogenic Numb-1 peptide in MCF7 cells originated from Numb, [P]-lated by an unknown kinase, because staurosporine but not wortmannin and MAPK-inhibitors decreased peptide presentation. Numb and Notch are antagonistic proteins which degrade each other to stop and activate cell proliferation, respectively. Their peptides are presented alternatively. Targeting both antagonistic proteins should be useful to prevent metastases in patients whose tumors are resistant to conventional treatments. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Dynamic characterization of human breast cancer cells using a piezoresistive microcantilever

In this paper, frequency response (dynamic compression and recovery) is suggested as a new physical marker to differentiate between breast cancer cells (MCF7) and normal cells (MCF10A). A single cell is placed on the laminated piezoelectric actuator and a piezoresistive microcantilever is placed on the upper surface of the cell at a specified preload displacement (or an equivalent force). The piezoelectric actuator excites the single cell in a sinusoidal fashion and its dynamic deformation is then evaluated from the displacement converted by measuring the voltage output through a piezoresistor in the microcantilever. The microcantilever has a flat contact surface with no sharp tip, making it possible to measure the overall properties of the cell rather than the local properties. These results indicate that the MCF7 cells are more deformable in quasi-static conditions compared with MCF10A cells, consistent with known characteristics. Under conditions of high frequency of over 50 Hz at a 1 μm preload displacement, 1 Hz at a 2 μm preload displacement, and all frequency ranges tested at a 3 μm preload displacement, MCF7 cells showed smaller deformation than MCF10A cells. MCF7 cells have higher absorption than MCF10A cells such that MCF7 cells appear to have higher deformability according to increasing frequency. Moreover, larger preload and higher frequencies are shown to enhance the differences in cell deformability between the MCF7 cells and MCF10A cells, which can be used as a physical marker for differentiating between MCF10A cells and MCF7 cells, even for high-speed screening devices.     

Analysis of defective protein ubiquitylation associated to adriamycin resistant cells

DNA damage activated by Adriamycin (ADR) promotes ubiquitin–proteasome system-mediated proteolysis by stimulating both the activity of ubiquitylating enzymes and the proteasome. In ADR-resistant breast cancer MCF7 (MCF7^ADR) cells, protein ubiquitylation is significantly reduced compared to the parental MCF7 cells. Here, we used tandem ubiquitin-binding entities (TUBEs) to analyze the ubiquitylation pattern observed in MCF7 or MCF7^ADR cells. While in MCF7, the level of total ubiquitylation increased up to six-fold in response to ADR, in MCF7^ADR cells only a two-fold response was found. To further explore these differences, we looked for cellular factors presenting ubiquitylation defects in MCF7^ADR cells. Among them, we found the tumor suppressor p53 and its ubiquitin ligase, Mdm2. We also observed a drastic decrease of proteins known to integrate the TUBE-associated ubiquitin proteome after ADR treatment of MCF7 cells, like histone H2AX, HMGB1 or β-tubulin. Only the proteasome inhibitor MG132, but not the autophagy inhibitor chloroquine partially recovers the levels of total protein ubiquitylation in MCF7^ADR cells. p53 ubiquitylation is markedly increased in MCF7^ADR cells after proteasome inhibition or a short treatment with the isopeptidase inhibitor PR619, suggesting an active role of these enzymes in the regulation of this tumor suppressor. Notably, MG132 alone increases apoptosis of MCF7^ADR and multidrug resistant ovarian cancer A2780DR1 and A2780DR2 cells. Altogether, our results highlight the use of ubiquitylation defects to predict resistance to ADR and underline the potential of proteasome inhibitors to treat these chemoresistant cells.