Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0006142 (breast cancer)
 160,383 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The neu proto-oncogene product has been found to exist in two interconvertible forms in G8/DHFR mouse fibroblasts. The 185-kilodalton form (p185) present in growing cells is replaced by a 175-kilodalton form (p175) under conditions of serum starvation. This low molecular weight form accounts almost exclusively for the phosphotyrosine content of the receptor and is associated with increased tyrosine kinase activity. Addition of serum, platelet-derived growth factor or tumor promoter induces conversion of p175 to p185 within minutes, and this increase in molecular weight is associated with phosphorylation of serine and threonine; removal of serum growth factors is followed by replacement of p185 with p175 over several hours. Unlike G8/DHFR cells, the human breast cancer cell line SK-Br-3 expresses a high molecular weight neu/HER2 receptor with unchanged phosphotyrosine content in both serum-starved and serum-stimulated cultures. These findings indicate that activation of the neu proto-oncogene product in G8/DHFR cells may be regulated in part by protein kinase C-mediated receptor transmodulation rather than by ligand availability alone.
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PMID:Modulation of a Mr 175,000 c-neu receptor isoform in G8/DHFR cells by serum starvation. 197 80

In a retrospective cohort study on 21,067 women who participated in the DOM project, a breast cancer screening programme, age at menarche was studied in relation to the 'Dutch Famine' at the end of the Second World War. Menarche showed a delay during the entire war period, disrupting a secular trend pattern in both urban and rural areas. This delay could be explained by circumstances of general dearth and food rationing. The data did not show a clear effect of famine exposure over and above effects related to the entire war period. Where age at menarche is a risk factor for breast cancer, effects due to a modest limitation of caloric intake such as accomplished by the food rationing may be more relevant as to its public health impact on cancer risk reduction than any additional effects due to outright starvation as occurred during the 'hungerwinter'.
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PMID:The effect of wartime conditions and the 1944-45 'Dutch famine' on recalled menarcheal age in participants of the DOM breast cancer screening project. 200 6

We have studied the expression of the apoptosis-regulating genes bcl-2, bcl-x, bax and APO-1/fas (CD95) in human breast cancer. The expression pattern of these genes in human breast-cancer tissues and breast-cancer-derived cell lines was compared to that seen in normal breast epithelium and breast epithelial cell lines. No difference with regard to bcl-2 and bcl-xL expression was observed between normal breast epithelium and tumor tissue or breast cancer and non-malignant epithelial cell lines. In contrast, bax-alpha, a splice variant of bax, which promotes apoptosis, is expressed in high amounts in normal cell lines and breast tissue, whereas only weak or no expression could be detected in cancer-cell lines and malignant tissue. In contrast to malignant cell lines, which express low levels of bax-alpha, non-malignant epithelial cell lines displaying high amounts of bax-alpha were highly sensitive to induction of programmed cell death by both serum starvation and APO-1/fas (CD95) triggering. We therefore propose that dysregulation of apoptosis contributes to the pathogenesis of breast cancer, at least in part, due to an imbalance between anti-apoptosis genes (such as bcl-2/bcl-x) and apoptosis-promoting genes (bax).
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PMID:Expression of the bcl-2 gene family in normal and malignant breast tissue: low bax-alpha expression in tumor cells correlates with resistance towards apoptosis. 789 58

Recent studies have identified a family of proteins called cyclins that control cell cycle. Among these proteins, cyclin B synthesis and degradation are necessary and sufficient to cause a Xenopus egg cell-free system to oscillate between S and M. To understand the link between hormonal regulation of cell growth and the expression of B-type cyclins, we studied the effect of estradiol on cyclin B1 mRNA in a hormone-responsive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Cells were synchronized at G1 by isoleucine starvation, and estradiol was added along with the removal of cell cycle block. Flow cytometric analysis showed 81 +/- 7% cells in G1 after 30 h of isoleucine starvation. Significant population of cells progressed to S by 16 h after the addition of estradiol, whereas a comparable transition occurred in control cells by 36 h only. In cells progressing from G1-->S-->G2-->M under the influence of estradiol, there was a significant increase in cyclin B1 mRNA at 30 and 36 h, consistent with the accumulation of this cyclin in G2/M. In addition, we found that cyclin B1 mRNA degradation occurred early in G1, and this process was accelerated by estradiol. At 2 h after removal of the isoleucine block, there was a 40% reduction in the level of cyclin B1 mRNA in estradiol-treated cells compared to untreated controls. Cyclin B1 protein degradation followed a similar pattern, as determined by Western blots using a monoclonal anti-cyclin B1 antibody. Since previous studies suggested a polyamine pathway in the mechanism of action of estradiol, we questioned whether polyamines are important in controlling the level of cyclin B1 mRNA. Treatment of synchronized cells with the polyamine biosynthetic inhibitor, difluoromethylornithine attenuated cyclin B1 mRNA degradation in the presence of estradiol. This process was mostly reversed by exogenous putrescine and spermidine but not by putrescine homologues. Collectively, these data suggest that the mechanism of cell growth regulation by estradiol in MCF-7 cells includes alterations in cyclin B1 mRNA. Our data also indicate molecular pathways for the action of polyamines in estrogenic control of cell cycle.
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PMID:Regulation of cyclin B1 by estradiol and polyamines in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. 831 64

Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells, growth-arrested by serum starvation, were stimulated with recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). An increase in DNA synthesis was induced 20 hr later, which was as effective as that induced by serum. The increase in DNA synthesis was significantly inhibited either by antibody to the IGF-I receptor or by the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, methyl-2,5-dihydroxycinnamate (2,5-MeC). The IGF-I-induced DNA synthesis coincided with an elevated level of phosphorylation of p53 on tyrosine and an alteration in the subcellular distribution of the protein from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Whereas the increases in DNA synthesis and p53 phosphorylation were inhibited by antibody to the IGF-I receptor and by 2,5-Mec, the nuclear exclusion of p53 was prevented by the antibody and also, although not significantly, by 2,5-Mec. The results suggest that growth stimulation of MCF-7 cells by IGF-I is accompanied by tyrosine phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of p53.
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PMID:Association of insulin-like growth-factor-I-induced DNA synthesis with phosphorylation and nuclear exclusion of p53 in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells. 837 29

We have studied the expression of members of the bcl-2 family in human breast cancer. The expression pattern of these genes in breast cancer tissue samples was compared with the expression pattern in normal breast epithelium. No marked difference with regard to bcl-2 and bcl-xL expression was observed between normal breast epithelium and cancer tissue. In contrast, bax-alpha, a splice variant of bax, which promotes apoptosis, is expressed in high amounts in normal breast epithelium, whereas only weak or no expression could be detected in 39 out of 40 cancer tissue samples examined so far. Of interest, downregulation of bax-alpha was found in different histological subtypes. Furthermore, we transfected bax-alpha into breast cancer cell lines under the control of a tetracycline-dependent expression system. We were able to demonstrate for the first time that induction of bax expression in breast cancer cell lines restores sensitivity towards both serum starvation and APO-I/Fas-triggered apoptosis and significantly reduces tumor growth in SCID mice. Therefore, we propose that dysregulation of apoptosis might contribute to the pathogenesis of breast cancer at least in part due to an imbalance between members of the bcl-2 gene family.
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PMID:Overexpression of the death-promoting gene bax-alpha which is downregulated in breast cancer restores sensitivity to different apoptotic stimuli and reduces tumor growth in SCID mice. 864 29

In 1995, an estimated 26,600 women in the United States will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer. During that same year, approximately 14,500 women will die from the disease. Although ovarian cancer accounts for only 33% of the gynecologic cancers and only 5% of all cancers affecting women in the United States, it results in 55% of the deaths from gynecologic cancer and 6% of the cancer deaths in women. The cure rate for ovarian cancer by stage at diagnosis is not significantly different from other gynecologic cancers. Ovarian cancer confined to the ovary (Stage I) can be cured in 90% of cases. Survival for patients with advanced disease (Stage III and IV) is 21%. Unfortunately, while 73% of endometrial cancers, 55% of breast cancers, and 50% of cervical cancers are diagnosed as Stage I, only 23% of ovarian cancers are diagnosed as Stage I. Thus, five-year survival for all endometrial cancer is 85%, for all breast cancer, 82%, for cervical cancer, 70%, and for ovarian cancer, only 42%. The lack of early symptoms and the absence of any proven method of screening for early ovarian cancer results in over 70% of women being diagnosed after the disease has spread beyond the ovary. Also, unlike breast, cervical, and endometrial cancer, there is no known premalignant phase for ovarian cancer; therefore, diagnosis and treatment of a premalignant condition to prevent the development of ovarian cancer is not possible. Theories to explain the development of ovarian cancer are based on observation that ovulation inhibition through pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, and a shorter ovulatory period (late menarche or early menopause) result in a decreased incidence of ovarian cancer. The incessant disruption of the ovarian capsule followed by repair may provide the opportunity for aberrant growth. Finally, therapy of women with ovarian cancer usually requires multiple surgical procedures, multiple courses of chemotherapy, and results in significant morbidity and health care costs. For most with the disease, the end result will still be a slow, painful death by starvation. There should be little doubt based on the above statistics that every effort should be directed towards prevention of ovarian cancer. Possible strategies in the prevention of ovarian cancer should be directed toward determining if a premalignant condition exists, developing screening tools to detect premalignant disease or disease confined to the ovary, and developing interventions to prevent the development of the disease. It is well established that use of oral contraceptives for five or more years can result in up to a 50% reduction in the occurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer. Given the low complication rates from oral contraception use, this medication should be considered as a method of prevention, especially in high-risk groups. In addition, this is a realistic starting point for research into the development of preventive regimens.
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PMID:Prospective on ovarian cancer: why prevent? 874 96

In differentiated tissues, such as muscle and brain, increased adenosine monophosphate (AMP) levels stimulate glycolytic flux rates. In the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, which characteristically has a constantly high glycolytic flux rate, AMP induces a strong inhibition of glycolysis. The human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-453, on the other hand, is characterized by a more differentiated metabolic phenotype. MDA-MB-453 cells have a lower glycolytic flux rate and higher pyruvate consumption than MCF-7 cells. In addition, they have an active glycerol 3-phosphate shuttle. AMP inhibits cell proliferation as well as NAD and NADH synthesis in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 cells. However, in MDA-MB-453 cells glycolysis is slightly activated by AMP. This disparate response of glycolytic flux rate to AMP treatment is presumably caused by the fact that the reduced NAD and NADH levels in AMP-treated MDA-MB-453 cells reduce lactate dehydrogenase but not cytosolic glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase reaction. Due to the different enzymatic complement in MCF-7 cells, proliferation is inhibited under glucose starvation, whereas MDA-MB-453 cells grow under these conditions. The inhibition of cell proliferation correlates with a reduction in glycolytic carbon flow to synthetic processes and a decrease in phosphotyrosine content of several proteins in both cell lines.
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PMID:Effect of extracellular AMP on cell proliferation and metabolism of breast cancer cell lines with high and low glycolytic rates. 903 May 54

Lonidamine (LND) is a relatively new anti-cancer drug, and several clinical trials have indicated that it may be effective in combinations with other therapeutic modalities. LND is classified within the metabolic inhibitor agents. Multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomenon is often associated with increased energy requirements, and enhanced glycolysis rate. These studies were performed to delineate the mechanism of action of LND on MDR human breast cancer cells, and to investigate whether LND as a single agent, or in combination with another anti-metabolism drug, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG), may be useful against MDR tumors. The effects of LND on intact perfused drug-sensitive (WT) and 33-fold resistant to Adriamycin (Adr) MCF-7 cells, embedded in alginate micro capsules, were continuously monitored by 31P and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. 31P NMR studies showed that LND induced intracellular acidification and depletion of NTP in both WT and Adr cells. However, pH and NTP levels decreased less in the Adr cells than in the WT cells (p < 0.05 for both parameters). 13C NMR demonstrated that LND inhibited lactate transport, and lactate signals were elevated in both cell lines. However, the intracellular lactate levels increased to a greater extent in the WT than in the Adr cells (p < 0.05). There were major differences in the effects of LND on metabolism between sensitive and resistant cells. While LND enhanced glucose uptake in the WT cells, and its administration was followed by continuous increase of lactate signal, both processes were not affected by LND in the Adr cells. 2-DG is a glucose analogue that inhibits both cellular uptake and utilization of glucose, leading to cell starvation. Combined treatment with LND and 2-DG yielded at best additive, but not synergistic, cellular toxicity, and the metabolic effects of LND were attenuated by 2-DG. These results showed that the principal mechanism of action of LND is inhibition of lactate transport leading to intracellular lactate accumulation and acidification in both WT and Adr cells. The Adr cells were only 2-fold resistant to LND (compared to the WT cells), and since cellular uptake of alkaloid chemotherapy is improved in acidic environment, LND may have a role in the treatment protocols of MDR tumors, especially when given as the initial means for induction of intracellular acidification.
Breast Cancer Res Treat 1997 Mar
PMID:Comparison of action of the anti-neoplastic drug lonidamine on drug-sensitive and drug-resistant human breast cancer cells: 31P and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance studies. 906 95

BRCA1, a familial breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility gene encodes nuclear phosphoproteins that function as tumor suppressors in human breast cancer cells. Previously, we have shown that overexpression of a BRCA1 splice variant BRCA1a accelerates apoptosis in human breast cancer cells. In an attempt to determine whether the subcellular localization of BRCA1 is cell cycle regulated, we have studied the subcellular distribution of BRCA1 in asynchronous and growth arrested normal, breast and ovarian cancer cells using different BRCA1 antibodies by immunofluorescence and immunohistochemical staining. Upon serum starvation of NIH3T3, some breast and ovarian cancer cells, most of the BRCA1 protein redistributed to the nucleus revealing a new type of regulation that may modulate the activity of BRCA1 gene. We have also characterized two new variant BRCA1 proteins (BRCA1a/p110 and BRCA1b/ p100) which are phosphoproteins containing phosphotyrosine. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting analysis indicate cytoplasmic and nuclear localization of BRCA1a and BRCA1b proteins. To elucidate the biological function of BRCA1, we created a bacterial fusion protein of glutathione-transferase (GST) and BRCA1 zinc finger domain and detected two cellular proteins with molecular weights of approximately 32 and 65 kD, one of which contains phosphotyrosine designated p32 and p65 BRCA1 interacting proteins (BIP) that specifically interact with BRCA1. Western blot analysis of BIP with cyclins/CDKs and E2F antisera indicated association with cdc2, cdk2, cdk4, cyclin B, cyclin D, cyclin A and E2F-4 but not with cdk3, cdk5, cdk6, E2F-1, E2F-2, E2F-3, E2F-5 and cyclin E. Furthermore, we have also demonstrated a direct interaction of in vitro translated BRCA1a and BRCA1b proteins with recombinant cyclin A, cyclin B1, cyclin D1, cdc2, cdk2 and E2F fusion proteins in vitro. Taken together these results seem to suggest that BRCA1 could be an important negative regulator of cell cycle that functions through interaction with E2F transcriptional factors and phosphorylation by cyclins/cdk complexes with the zinc ring finger functioning as a major protein-protein interaction domain. If the interactions we observe in vitro is also seen in vivo then it may be possible that lack or impaired binding of the disrupted BRCA1 proteins to E2F, cyclins/CDKs in patients with mutations in the zinc finger domain could deprive the cell of an important mechanism for braking cell proliferation leading to the development of breast and ovarian cancers.
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PMID:BRCA1 proteins are transported to the nucleus in the absence of serum and splice variants BRCA1a, BRCA1b are tyrosine phosphoproteins that associate with E2F, cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases. 924 50


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