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Profiling of Estrogen-regulated MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer Cells
Published on: February 21, 2014
Gene expression analysis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells treated with recombinant bromelain
Nour Fouz1, Azura Amid, Yumi Zuhanis Has-Yun Hashim
1Bioprocess and Molecular Engineering Research Unit (BPMERU), Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, International Islamic University Malaysia, P.O. Box 10, 50728, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, nour.fouz@gmail.com.
Abstract:
The contributing molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of breast cancer need to be better characterized. The principle of our study was to better understand the genetic mechanism of oncogenesis for human breast cancer and to discover new possible tumor markers for use in clinical practice. We used complimentary DNA (cDNA) microarrays to compare gene expression profiles of treated Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) with recombinant bromelain and untreated MCF-7. SpringGene analysis was carried out of differential expression followed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), to understand the underlying consequence in developing disease and disorders. We identified 1,102 known genes differentially expressed to a significant degree (p<0.001) changed between the treatment. Within this gene set, 20 genes were significantly changed between treated cells and the control cells with cutoff fold change of more than 1.5. These genes are RNA-binding motif, single-stranded interacting protein 1 (RBMS1), ribosomal protein L29 (RPL29), glutathione S-transferase mu 2 (GSTM2), C15orf32, Akt3, B cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1), C6orf62, C7orf60, kinesin-associated protein 3 (KIFAP3), FBXO11, AT-rich interactive domain 4A (ARID4A), COPS2, TBPL1|SLC2A12, TMEM59, SNORD46, glioma tumor suppressor candidate region gene 2 (GLTSCR2), and LRRFIP. Our observation on gene expression indicated that recombinant bromelain produces a unique signature affecting different pathways, specific for each congener. The microarray results give a molecular mechanistic insight and functional effects, following recombinant bromelain treatment. The extent of changes in genes is related to and involved significantly in gap junction signaling, amyloid processing, cell cycle regulation by BTG family proteins, and breast cancer regulation by stathmin1 that play major roles.
Insights
Recombinant bromelain alters gene expression in breast cancer cells, revealing new molecular pathways and potential tumor markers. This study offers insights into bromelain
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Breast cancer pathogenesis requires better understanding of molecular pathways.
- Identifying novel tumor markers is crucial for clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the genetic mechanisms of human breast cancer oncogenesis.
- To discover potential new tumor markers using gene expression profiling.
- To investigate the effects of recombinant bromelain on breast cancer cells.
Main Methods:
- Utilized complementary DNA (cDNA) microarrays to compare gene expression profiles.
- Analyzed differential gene expression using SpringGene and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA).
- Compared Michigan Cancer Foundation-7 (MCF-7) cells treated with recombinant bromelain against untreated controls.
Main Results:
- Identified 1,102 significantly differentially expressed known genes (p<0.001).
- Pinpointed 20 genes with a fold change >1.5 between treated and control MCF-7 cells.
- Observed that recombinant bromelain induces a unique gene expression signature affecting pathways like gap junction signaling and cell cycle regulation.
Conclusions:
- Recombinant bromelain treatment impacts breast cancer cells through distinct molecular pathways.
- Gene expression changes provide mechanistic insights into bromelain's effects on breast cancer.
- The study identified specific genes and pathways potentially relevant for breast cancer diagnosis or therapy.

