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Differential expression of genes induced by resveratrol in human breast cancer cell lines
Ludovic Le Corre1, Nasséra Chalabi, Laetitia Delort
1Département d'Oncogénétique, Centre Jean Perrin, CBRV, INSERM UMR484-UdA, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
Abstract:
The phytoalexin, trans-resveratrol (RES), is a polyphenolic compound found in plants and fruits that seems to have a wide spectrum of biological activities. It has been found to possess cancer chemopreventive effects by inhibiting diverse cellular events associated with tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. RES is also a phytoestrogen, which binds to and activates estrogen receptors (ERs) that regulate the transcription of estrogen-responsive target genes. We used two human breast tumor cell lines (MCF7 and MBA-MB-231) and one fibrocystic breast cell line (MCF10a) to examine whether RES altered mRNA expression of genes that are involved in biological pathway frequently altered during carcinogenesis. Two GEarray systems were used to screen the differentially expressed genes between RES-treated cells and control cells. The differentially expressed genes were analyzed further by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Here, we demonstrate that RES regulates mRNA expression of several genes involved in cell cycle control, apoptosis, metastasis, cell-cell adhesion, and ER signaling pathway. This effect of RES on the gene expression appears in correlation with chemoprevention activities of RES described previously. RES is also found to be more active in ER+ than ER- cells.
Insights
Trans-resveratrol (RES), a plant compound, influences genes related to cancer development. This phytoalexin shows greater activity in estrogen receptor-positive cells, correlating with its known cancer-chemopreventive effects.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Trans-resveratrol (RES) is a phytoalexin with diverse biological activities, including cancer chemoprevention.
- RES acts as a phytoestrogen, interacting with estrogen receptors (ERs) to modulate gene transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of RES on mRNA expression of genes involved in carcinogenesis.
- To examine RES's impact on cell lines with varying ER status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized GEarray systems to screen differentially expressed genes in RES-treated versus control breast cell lines (MCF7, MBA-MB-231, MCF10a).
- Validated gene expression changes using quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).
Main Results:
- RES significantly altered the mRNA expression of multiple genes involved in cell cycle control, apoptosis, metastasis, and cell-cell adhesion.
- RES demonstrated higher activity in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cells compared to estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) cells.
- Observed regulation of genes within the ER signaling pathway.
Conclusions:
- RES modulates key gene expression pathways implicated in cancer development, supporting its chemopreventive potential.
- The differential activity of RES in ER+ versus ER- cells highlights the importance of ER status in its biological effects.
