Reduced formation of depurinating estrogen-DNA adducts by sulforaphane or KEAP1 disruption in human mammary epithelial MCF-10A cells

Carcinogenesis. 2013 Nov;34(11):2587-92. doi: 10.1093/carcin/bgt246. Epub 2013 Jul 10.

Abstract

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a potent inducer of detoxication enzymes such as NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) via the Kelch-like erythroid-derived protein with CNC homology-associated protein 1 (Keap1)-NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. NQO1 reduces the carcinogenic estrogen metabolite, catechol estrogen-3,4-quinone, whereas GSTs detoxify it through conjugation with glutathione. These 3,4-quinones can react with DNA to form depurinating DNA adducts. Thus, SFN may alter estrogen metabolism and thus protect against estrogen-mediated DNA damage and carcinogenesis. Human breast epithelial MCF-10A cells were treated with either vehicle or SFN and either estradiol (E2) or its metabolite 4-hydroxyestradiol (4-OHE2). 4-Hydroxy-derived estrogen metabolites and depurinating DNA adducts formed from E2 and its interconvertable metabolite estrone (E1) were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Levels of the depurinated adducts, 4-OHE1/2-1-N3Adenine and 4-OHE1/2-1-N7Guanine, were reduced by 60% in SFN-treated cells, whereas levels of 4-OCH3E1/2 and 4-OHE1/2-glutathione conjugates increased. To constitutively enhance the expression of Nrf2-regulated genes, cells were treated with either scrambled or siKEAP1 RNA. Following E2 or 4-OHE2 treatments, levels of the adenine and guanine adducts dropped 60-70% in siKEAP1-treated cells, whereas 4-OHE1/2-glutathione conjugates increased. However, 4-OCH3E1/2 decreased 50% after siKEAP1 treatment. Thus, treatment with SFN or siKEAP1 has similar effects on reduction of depurinating estrogen-DNA adduct levels following estrogen challenge. However, these pharmacologic and genetic approaches have different effects on estrogen metabolism to O-methyl and glutathione conjugates. Activation of the Nrf2 pathway, especially elevated NQO1, may account for some but not all of the protective effects of SFN against estrogen-mediated DNA damage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis
  • Blotting, Western
  • Breast / cytology
  • Breast / drug effects*
  • Breast / metabolism
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • DNA Adducts / drug effects*
  • Estrogens / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism*
  • Isothiocyanates / pharmacology*
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / genetics
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / metabolism*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction
  • Sulfoxides
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • DNA Adducts
  • Estrogens
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Isothiocyanates
  • KEAP1 protein, human
  • Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • NFE2L2 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Sulfoxides
  • sulforaphane