Phospholipase C-protein kinase C mediated phospholipase D activation pathway is involved in tamoxifen induced
Soo-Jung Ahn1, Mee-Sup Yoon, Shin Hyuk
1Cancer Research Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 110-744, Korea.
Abstract:
Tamoxifen (TAM) is the endocrine therapeutic agent the most widely used in the treatment of breast cancer, and it operates primarily through the induction of apoptosis. In this study, we attempted to elucidate the non-ER mediated mechanism behind TAM treatment, involving the phospholipase C-protein kinase C (PLC-PKC) mediated phospholipase D (PLD) activation pathway, using multimodality methods. In TAM treated MCF7 cells, the PLC and PLD protein and mRNA levels increased. Phosphatidylethanol (PEt) and diacylglycerol (DAG) generation also increased, showing increased activity of PLD and PLCgamma1. Translocation of PKCalpha, from cytosol to membrane, was observed in TAM treated cells. By showing that both PKC and PLC inhibitors could reduce the effects of TAM-induced PLD activation, we confirmed the role of PKC and PLC as upstream regulators of PLD. Finally, we demonstrated that TAM treatment reduced the viability of MCF7 cells and brought about rapid cell death. From these results, we confirmed the hypothesis that TAM induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells, and that the signal transduction pathway, involving PLD, PLC, and PKC, constitutes one of the possible mechanisms underlying the non-ER mediated effects associated with TAM.
Insights
Tamoxifen (TAM) triggers breast cancer cell death via apoptosis. This study reveals a non-estrogen receptor pathway involving phospholipase D (PLD), phospholipase C (PLC), and protein kinase C (PKC) in TAM
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Tamoxifen (TAM) is a primary endocrine therapy for breast cancer, mainly acting via estrogen receptor (ER) pathways to induce apoptosis.
- Understanding non-ER mediated mechanisms of TAM is crucial for comprehensive treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the non-ER mediated signaling pathway involving phospholipase D (PLD), phospholipase C (PLC), and protein kinase C (PKC) in TAM-induced apoptosis of breast cancer cells.
- To elucidate the role of PLD activation in TAM's mechanism of action.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multimodality methods to analyze protein and mRNA levels of PLC and PLD in TAM-treated MCF7 cells.
- Measured phosphatidylethanol (PEt) and diacylglycerol (DAG) generation to assess PLD and PLC activity.
- Observed PKCalpha translocation using cellular imaging techniques.
- Employed specific inhibitors for PLC and PKC to confirm their regulatory roles in PLD activation.
Main Results:
- TAM treatment increased PLC and PLD protein and mRNA levels in MCF7 cells.
- Elevated PEt and DAG generation indicated increased PLD and PLCgamma1 activity.
- PKCalpha translocated from the cytosol to the membrane in TAM-treated cells.
- Inhibitors of PKC and PLC attenuated TAM-induced PLD activation, confirming their upstream regulatory roles.
- TAM treatment reduced MCF7 cell viability and induced rapid cell death.
Conclusions:
- TAM induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through a non-ER mediated pathway.
- The signal transduction pathway involving PLD, PLC, and PKC is a key mechanism underlying TAM's non-ER mediated effects.
- This pathway represents a potential therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
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