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Re-expression and epigenetic modification of maspin induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells mediated by myocardin

Xing-Hua Liao1, Yan-Qi Li2, Nan Wang2

  • 1Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation Microbiology, Ministry of Education and Tianjin, College of Biotechnology, Tianjin University of Science and Technology, 300457, PR China; Institute of Biology and Medicine, Wuhan University of Science and Technology, 430000, PR China.

Cellular Signalling
|March 11, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Maspin acts as a tumor suppressor gene in breast cancer. Myocardin can re-express maspin, inducing apoptosis and offering potential new breast cancer therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Epigenetics

Background:

  • Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in women globally.
  • Understanding oncogene and anti-oncogene roles is crucial for breast cancer progression.
  • The tumor suppressor function of maspin in breast cancer requires further elucidation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of maspin as a tumor suppressor in breast cancer.
  • To explore the epigenetic regulation of maspin gene expression.
  • To examine the effect of myocardin on maspin re-expression and breast cancer cell apoptosis.

Main Methods:

  • MCF-7 breast cancer cells were used to study maspin expression and apoptosis.
  • Epigenetic modifications (hypermethylation, hypoacetylation) were investigated.
  • Inhibitors of DNA methyltransferase (5-aza-dc) and histone deacetylase (TSA) were applied.
  • Myocardin's effect on maspin promoter transcription was analyzed using luciferase assays.

Main Results:

  • Maspin functions as a tumor suppressor, inducing apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
  • Maspin gene expression is silenced by promoter hypermethylation and histone hypoacetylation.
  • 5-aza-dc and TSA treatment significantly up-regulated maspin expression.
  • Myocardin activates maspin promoter transcription via the CArG box.
  • Combined 5-aza-dc/TSA and myocardin treatment synergistically enhanced maspin re-expression and apoptosis.

Conclusions:

  • Maspin acts as a tumor suppressor gene, inducing apoptosis in breast cancer cells.
  • Epigenetic silencing of maspin can be reversed by DNMT and HDAC inhibitors.
  • Myocardin promotes maspin re-expression and enhances maspin-mediated apoptosis.
  • Myocardin's role in epigenetic regulation of maspin offers potential therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.
Keywords:
ApoptosisEpigenetic modificationMaspinMyocardin

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