Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic MCF-7 and Non-Tumor MCF-10A Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis
08:33

Microfluidic Device for the Separation of Non-Metastatic MCF-7 and Non-Tumor MCF-10A Breast Cancer Cells Using AC Dielectrophoresis

Published on: August 11, 2022

2.9K

The Role of Protein Oxidative Modification and the Cellular Redox Status in Realization of Apoptosis of MCF-7 Breast

E V Shakhristova, E A Stepovaya, N V Ryazantseva

    Izvestiia Akademii Nauk. Seriia Biologicheskaia
    |September 19, 2018
    PubMed

    Insights

    Redox modification of proteins triggers apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Protecting cells with 1,4-dithioerythritol (DTE) prevented apoptosis by allowing reversible glutathionylation.

    Area of Science:

    • Biochemistry
    • Cell Biology
    • Oncology

    Background:

    • Redox status influences cellular processes, including apoptosis.
    • MCF-7 breast adenocarcinoma cells are a model for studying cancer cell death.
    • Protein modification by reactive oxygen species plays a role in cell signaling.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the role of protein redox modification in MCF-7 cell apoptosis.
    • To determine the effects of N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) and 1,4-dithioerythritol (DTE) on MCF-7 cell apoptosis and redox status.

    Main Methods:

    • Culturing MCF-7 cells with N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), a thiol-blocker.
    • Culturing MCF-7 cells with 1,4-dithioerythritol (DTE), a thiol-protector.
    • Assessing apoptosis and protein glutathionylation levels.

    Main Results:

    • Irreversible modification of redox-sensitive proteins activated apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
    • DTE treatment led to reversible glutathionylation of proteins.
    • DTE did not alter the number of apoptotic MCF-7 cells, indicating a protective effect.

    Conclusions:

    • Irreversible protein redox modification is a key mechanism inducing apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
    • Reversible glutathionylation, induced by DTE, protects MCF-7 cells from apoptosis.
    • Targeting protein redox modifications offers potential therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

    More Related Videos

    Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen19:44

    Enhancement of Apoptotic and Autophagic Induction by a Novel Synthetic C-1 Analogue of 7-deoxypancratistatin in Human Breast Adenocarcinoma and Neuroblastoma Cells with Tamoxifen

    Published on: May 30, 2012

    19.2K
    Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment11:13

    Author Spotlight: Exploring Salidroside's Molecular Mechanisms in Breast Cancer Treatment

    Published on: June 9, 2023

    2.4K

    Related Concept Videos

    Balancing Redox Equations02:58

    Balancing Redox Equations

    Electrochemistry is the science involved in the interconversion of electrical and chemical reactions. Such reactions are called reduction-oxidation, or redox reactions. These important reactions are defined by changes in oxidation states for one or more reactant elements and include a subset of reactions involving the transfer of electrons between reactant species. Electrochemistry as a field has evolved to yield sufficient insights on the fundamental principles of redox chemistry and multiple...
    62.2K
    Redox Reactions01:24

    Redox Reactions

    Oxidation-reduction or redox reactions involve the transfer of electrons from one molecule or atom to another. When an atom gains an electron, another atom must lose an electron, meaning oxidation and reduction must occur together. Since the redox occurs in pairs, the atom that gets oxidized is also called the reducing agent or reductant, and the atom that is reduced is also called the oxidizing agent or oxidant. A straightforward way to remember the definitions of oxidation and reduction is...
    58.8K
    Oxidation Numbers03:14

    Oxidation Numbers

    In redox reactions, the transfer of electrons occurs between reacting species. Electron transfer is described by a hypothetical number called the oxidation number (or oxidation state). It represents the effective charge of an atom or element, which is assigned using a set of rules.
    42.8K
    Redox Titration: Other Oxidizing and Reducing Agents01:26

    Redox Titration: Other Oxidizing and Reducing Agents

    Besides iodine, other oxidizing or reducing agents can serve as titrants in redox titrations. Common oxidizing titrants include KMnO4, cerium(IV), and K2Cr2O7. The choice of oxidizing titrants depends on factors like stability, cost, analyte strength, and reaction rate between the analyte and titrant. KMnO4 is a strong oxidizing titrant that reduces from Mn(VII) to Mn(II) in a highly acidic solution, simultaneously oxidizing the analyte to a higher oxidation state. In this case, KMnO4 acts as a...
    1.4K
    Oxidation-Reduction Reactions03:11

    Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

    Oxidation–Reduction Reactions
    75.7K
    Protein Modifications in the RER01:26

    Protein Modifications in the RER

    Modification of secretory and transmembrane proteins entering the rough ER begins in the ER lumen. These modifications aid in protein folding and stabilize the acquired tertiary structure. Protein modifications in the rough ER co-occur at different stages of protein folding.
    Broadly, these modifications can be categorized into four main categories — glycosylation, formation of disulfide bonds, assembly of protein subunits, and specific proteolytic cleavages like removal of signal...
    7.1K