Influence of 2-methoxyestradiol on MCF-7 cells : an improved differential interference contrasting technique and Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression levels

Loading...
Thumbnail Image

Authors

Joubert, Annie M.
Marais, Sumari
Maritz, Christine

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Centro Regional de Investigaciones Cientificas Y Tecnologicas / Universidad Nacional de Cuyo

Abstract

Proteins of the B-cell lymphoma 2 family are crucial for the regulation of apoptosis. B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X is a pro-apoptotic protein, while B-cell lymphoma 2 protein opposes apoptosis. The influence of 1 μM 2-methoxyestradiol was investigated on the expression levels of these two proteins in MCF-7 cells. 2-Methoxyestradiol exposure did not influence B-cell lymphoma 2 protein expression levels after 24 h of exposure. In contrast, B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein levels were significantly reduced. An improved differential interference contrasting technique revealed compromised cell density and the presence of a mitotic block in exposed cells. The study proposes that the influence of 2-methoxyestradiol on the expression of these proteins may be time- and cell type dependent and thus not evident during the mitotic block observed. Investigation of the regulation of the B-cell lymphoma 2 family will allow researchers to consider signaling pathways for diseases where apoptosis can potentially be controlled.

Description

Keywords

Breast carcinoma

Sustainable Development Goals

Citation

Joubert, A, Marais, S & Maritz, C 2009, 'Influence of 2-methoxyestradiol on MCF-7 cells : an improved differential interference contrasting technique and Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression levels', Biocell, vol. 33, no. 1, pp. 67-70. [http://www.scielo.org.ar/scielo.php/script_sci_serial/lng_en/pid_0327-9545/nrm_iso ]