Abstract
We utilized a reverse transcription-PCR method to examine the effect of estrogen on the expression of mRNA for Bcl-2 and Bax, two modulatory proteins in the apoptotic pathway, in human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. We found that the bcl-2 mRNA levels in the cells exposed to 17β-estradiol were higher than those of control cells. Although the relative bax mRNA levels remained unchanged, the changes in bcl-2 mRNA level occurred in a time- and concentration-dependent fashion. In addition, pretreatment with 17β-estradiol protected MCF-7 cells from apoptosis. Our study provides evidence that responses of breast epithelial cells toward a steroid sex hormone involve regulation of the apoptotic pathway.
Footnotes
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↵1 To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Laboratory of Nutritional and Molecular Regulation, Building 434/2, National Cancer Institute-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702-1201.
- Received March 20, 1995.
- Accepted May 5, 1995.
- ©1995 American Association for Cancer Research.
Volume 55, Issue 12
