Estrogen-induced 24K protein in MCF-7 breast cancer cells is localized in granules

We have previously reported the production of monoclonal antibodies which detect, by immunohistochemistry, an estrogen-induced protein of molecular weight 24,000 daltons (24K). This protein, of unknown function, has been detected in: a) estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell lines but not in receptor-negative lines; b) several human normal estrogen target organs; and c) certain human carcinomas, including breast tumors. To examine the subcellular localization of this 24K estrogen-induced protein, we have done immunohistochemical studies at light and electron microscopic levels using a human breast tumor cell line (MCF-7) grown in vitro and also in nude mice in vivo. MCF-7 cells grown in the ascites fluid of nude mice and processed for paraffin sections showed a defined polarity, and the 24K protein was localized in the apical cytoplasm of the cells. After cytocentrifugation, MCF-7 cells grown in vitro displayed 24K protein mainly confined to large cytoplasmic granules. The presence of 24K protein in cytoplasmic granules was also seen by immunoelectronmicroscopy in MCF-7 cells grown both in vitro and in vivo. The granules had different sizes, shapes, and 24K immunostaining intensity. The morphological evidence suggests that the 24K estrogen-induced protein is secreted from the cells.