To study the effects of adriamycin on the expression of BRCA1 and PARP-1 in BRCA1 wild-type MCF-7 cells. We used Western blotting to detect BRCA1 and PARP-1 levels in MCF-7 cells treated with adriamycin, and used flow cytometry to detect apoptotic MCF-7 cells. Results showed that adriamycin can increase PARP-1 activation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. BRCA1 levels were also increased upon treatment with a high dose of adriamycin, but gradually decreased over time. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with 3-ABA inhibited PARP-1 activity, but had no effect on BRCA1 levels. Compared to adriamycin and 3-ABA treatment alone, the co-treatment can increase the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells. Compared to BRCA1-defective HCC1937 cells, adriamycin combined with 3-ABA can further induce apoptosis of MCF-7 cells (P < 0.05). All of these suggested that adriamycin can affect the PARP-1 activation and the expression of BRCA1. Combined with 3-ABA has an additive effect on the rate of apoptosis observed.
Keywords: BRCA1; MCF-7; PARP-1; adriamycin.