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Updated: May 13, 2026
Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Microarray and quantitative PCR analysis of gene expression profiles in response to treatment with tomato leaf
Azura Amid1, Wan Dalila Wan Chik, Parveen Jamal
1Bioprocess and Molecular Engineering Research Unit (BPMERU), International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. azuraamid@iium.edu.my
Abstract:
We previously found cytotoxic effects of tomato leaf extract (TLE) on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The aim of this study was to ascertain the molecular mechanisms associated with the usage of TLE as an anticancer agent by microarray analysis using mRNA from MCF-7 breast cancer cells after treatment with TLE for 1 hr and 48 hrs. Approximately 991 genes out of the 30,000 genes in the human genome were significantly (p<0.05) changed after the treatment. Within this gene set, 88 were significantly changed between the TLE treated cells and the untreated MCF-7 cells (control cells) with a cut-off fold change >2.00. In order to focus on genes that were involved in cancer cell growth, only twenty-nine genes were selected, either down-regulated or up-regulated after treatment with TLE. Microarray assay results were confirmed by analyzing 10 of the most up and down regulated genes related to cancer cells progression using real-time PCR. Treatment with TLE induced significant up-regulation in the expression of the CRYAB, PIM1, BTG1, CYR61, HIF1-α and CEBP-β genes after 1 hr and 48 hrs, whereas the TXNIP and THBS1 genes were up-regulated after 1 hr of treatment but down-regulated after 48 hrs. In addition both the HMG1L1 and HIST2H3D genes were down-regulated after 1 hr and 48 hrs of treatment. These results demonstrate the potent activity of TLE as an anticancer agent.
Insights
Tomato leaf extract (TLE) shows potent anticancer activity by altering gene expression in breast cancer cells. This study identified key genes regulated by TLE, revealing its molecular mechanisms against cancer growth.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genomics
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Previous research indicated cytotoxic effects of tomato leaf extract (TLE) on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms of TLE's anticancer activity is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of tomato leaf extract (TLE) as an anticancer agent.
- To identify genes affected by TLE treatment in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using microarray analysis.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of mRNA from MCF-7 cells treated with TLE for 1 and 48 hours.
- Identification of significantly altered genes (p<0.05, fold change >2.00).
- Validation of key gene expression changes using real-time PCR.
Main Results:
- TLE treatment significantly altered the expression of 991 genes in MCF-7 cells.
- Twenty-nine genes related to cancer cell growth were identified as differentially expressed.
- Specific genes like CRYAB, PIM1, HIF1-α, and CEBP-β were upregulated, while others like TXNIP and THBS1 showed dynamic regulation. HMG1L1 and HIST2H3D were downregulated.
Conclusions:
- Tomato leaf extract (TLE) exhibits potent anticancer activity through modulation of specific gene expression pathways.
- The identified gene expression changes provide insights into the molecular basis of TLE's efficacy against breast cancer.
