Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(4): 288-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-973814
Original Clinical

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sex Hormone-binding Globulin Selectively Modulates Estradiol-regulated Genes in MCF-7 Cells

M. G. Catalano 1 , L. Costantino 1 , R. Frairia 1 , G. Boccuzzi 1 , 2 , N. Fortunati 2
  • 1Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
  • 2Oncological Endocrinology, ASO San Giovanni Battista, Turin, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

received 28. 7. 2006

accepted 27. 11. 2006

Publication Date:
19 April 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Human sex hormone-binding globulin inhi-bits the effects of estradiol on proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells. We report here the effect of sex hormone-binding globulin on estradiol regulation of gene expression in MCF-7 breast cancer cells using a selected set of genes. Estradiol upregulates genes that are positive regulators of proliferation (e.g., bcl-2, c-fos, c-myc, cyclin D) or/and related to more aggressive form of breast cancer (e.g. BRCA-1, EGF-R) and downregulates two genes (c-jun and ERα). Sex hormone-binding globulin modulates only a selected group of estradiol-controlled genes (inhibiting upregulation of bcl-2, c-myc, EGF-R, PR, and downregulation of ERα), starting 48 hours after treatment. Our study demonstrates that in breast cancer cells, sex hormone-binding globulin is effective on few selected genes which are involved in cell growth and apoptosis or related to cell estrogen-dependence and that the protein regulation of estradiol effect is selected and specific. Sex hormone-binding globulin action in estrogen breast cancer cells is strongly associated to cell growth and estrogen-sensitivity.

References

Correspondence

N. FortunatiM.D. 

Laboratorio Endocrinologia Oncologica

Via Genova 3

10126 Torino

Italy

Phone: +39/011/6705 360

Fax: +39/011/6705 366

Email: nfortunati@molinette.piemonte.it