Activation of c-Neu Tyrosine Kinase by o,p′-DDT and β-HCH in Cell-Free and Intact Cell Preparations from MCF-7 Human Breast Cancer Cells

It has been suggested that there is a positive correlation between increased incidence of breast cancer and the presence of organochlorine residues such as DDT and HCH in breast tissues in the United States. To study possible biochemical links between these two parameters, we have examined the effect of o,p′-DDT, the most estrogenic congener of the DDT family of chemicals and β-HCH on protein phosphorylation activities in MCF-7, a line derived from human breast cancer cells. Both of these organochlorine chemicals were found to be potent activators of protein kinases. Among kinases activated, protein tyrosine kinases (PTK) appear to be most affected as judged by the antagonistic action of genistein, a class-specific PTK inhibitor. Moreover, these organochlorines were found to activate PTK even under cell-free conditions, indicating that they are likely to interact directly with the target protein tyrosine kinase. As a result of immunoprecipitation with specific antibodies, and testing on the action of these organochlorines, we could show that the major kinase activated by o,p′-DDT is c-Neu (= c-erbB2 product protein). The concentrations of these organochlorines required to activate c-Neu were extremely low (0.1–1 nM range), whereas an inactive analog p,p′-DDT showed no stimulatory property even at 100 nM. Such an action of these organochlorine compounds were not antagonized by the presence of 1 μM tamoxifen, indicating that it is not mediated through the estrogen receptor. In addition, their c-Neu activating actions were specifically antagonized by a c-Neu antibody known to interact with the extracellular domain of c-Neu only without affecting the EGF receptor. Moreover, these chemicals did not cause downregulation of the EGF receptor during the 72 hour test period. Together these data indicate that the action of these chemicals on c-Neu kinase is very specific. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biochem Toxicol 12: 83–92, 1998