The anti-progestin RU-486 inhibits viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by suppressing WNT1

Cancer Lett. 2011 Dec 15;312(1):101-8. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2011.08.006. Epub 2011 Aug 11.

Abstract

The Wnt signaling pathway is activated in over 50% of women with breast cancer and contributes to tumor progression. Here, we investigated the effects of RU-486 on Wnt signaling in breast cancer cell lines. RU-486 reduced viability of the progesterone receptor-positive MCF-7 and T-47D cells, but had no effect on the triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, RU-486 suppressed WNT1 expression of MCF-7 cells by 99%. The addition of recombinant WNT1 partially reversed the RU-486-dependent inhibition of viability in MCF-7, but not in T-47D cells. In conclusion, we identified WNT1 as a novel mediator of the anti-tumor effects of RU-486 in MCF-7 cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mifepristone / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Progesterone / biosynthesis
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway / drug effects*
  • Wnt1 Protein / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Wnt1 Protein / biosynthesis
  • Wnt1 Protein / genetics
  • Wnt1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Progesterone
  • WNT1 protein, human
  • Wnt1 Protein
  • Mifepristone