Activation of the steroid and xenobiotic receptor, SXR, induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells
2009

How SXR Activation Kills Breast Cancer Cells

publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Verma Suman, Tabb Michelle M, Blumberg Bruce

Primary Institution: University of California, Irvine

Hypothesis

SXR activation mediates the anti-proliferative effects of certain compounds in breast cancer cells.

Conclusion

Activation of SXR inhibits breast cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis through a nitric oxide and p53-dependent mechanism.

Supporting Evidence

  • SXR activation leads to increased expression of p53 and pro-apoptotic genes.
  • SXR activators induce cell cycle arrest at the G1/S phase.
  • Inhibition of iNOS blocks the induction of p53.
  • p53 knockdown inhibits up-regulation of cell cycle regulatory genes.

Takeaway

When certain compounds activate a receptor called SXR in breast cancer cells, it helps to stop the cells from growing and can even make them die.

Methodology

The study measured breast cancer cell proliferation in response to SXR activators and analyzed gene expression changes using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting.

Participant Demographics

The study focused on breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and ZR-75-1.

Statistical Information

P-Value

≤ 0.05

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-9-3

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