Title:Perturbation of HSP Network in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cell Line Triggers Inducible HSP70 Expression and Leads to Tumor Suppression
VOLUME: 20 ISSUE: 9
Author(s):Mustafa Ergul, Fugen Aktan, Mehmet T. Yildiz and Yusuf Tutar*
Affiliation:Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ankara University, Ankara, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul
Keywords:HSP70, pifithrin-μ, PCR array, human breast cancer cell, ELISA, PES induction.
Abstract:Background: Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is constitutively expressed in normal cells but aberrantly
expressed in several types of tumor cells, helping their survival in extreme conditions. Thus, specific
inhibition of HSP70 in tumor cells is a promising strategy in the treatment of cancer. HSP70 has a variety of
isoforms in the cellular organelles and form different functions by coordinating and cooperating with cochaperones.
Cancer cells overexpress HSPs during cell growth and proliferation and HSP network provides
resistance against apoptosis. The present study aimed to evaluate quantitative changes in HSPs- and cancerassociated
gene expressions and their interactions in the presence of 2-phenylethyenesulfonamide (PES) in
MCF-7 cells.
Methods: Antiproliferative activity of PES was evaluated using the XTT assay. Inducible HSP70 (HSP70i)
levels in the PES-treated cells were determined using the ELISA kit. PCR Array was performed to assess the
HSPs- and cancer-pathway focused gene expression profiling. Gene network analysis was performed using the
X2K, yEd (V.3.18.1) programs, and web-based gene list enrichment analysis tool Enrichr.
Results: The results demonstrated that PES exposure increased the amount of both HSP70i gene and protein
expression surprisingly. However, the expression of HSP70 isoforms as well as other co-chaperones, and 17
cancer-associated genes decreased remarkably as expected. Additionally, interaction network analysis revealed a
different mechanism; PES induction of HSP70i employs a cell cycle negative regulator, RB1, which is a tumor
suppressor gene.
Conclusion: PES treatment inhibited MCF-7 cell proliferation and changed several HSPs- and cancer-related
gene expressions along with their interactions through a unique mechanism although it causes an interesting
increase at HSP70i gene and protein expressions. RB1 gene expression may play an important role in this effect
as revealed by the interaction network analysis.