title: Role for Bcl-xL in the regulation of apoptosis by EGF and TGF beta 1 in c-myc overexpressing mammary epithelial cells.
abstract: We previously showed that TGF alpha synergizes with c-myc in mammary tumorigenesis through inhibition of Myc-induced apoptosis. We therefore examined the effects of growth factors on apoptosis induction in several cell lines from MMTV-myc mammary tumors. When EGF was withdrawn or TGF beta 1 was added, cells became apoptotic after 15 h (by ELISA and morphology). Northern and Western analysis revealed high levels of Bax and p53, and low or undetectable levels of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xS under all treatment condition. In contrast, Bcl-xL expression was highest in the presence of EGF or TGF alpha, with a significant reduction upon removal of EGF or exposure to TGF beta. In mouse mammary tumors, the relative Bcl-xL/Bax ratio was higher in TGF alpha/Myc double transgenics than in Myc single transgenics, in agreement with the in vitro data. Our results suggest a role for Bcl-xL in the regulation of apoptosis by EGF and TGF beta in mammary epithelial cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Georgetown University, Washington DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nass
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: L T
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Amundadottir
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Furth
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Dickson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D016259:Genes, myc; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D051020:bcl-X Protein
chemical_list: C494812:Bcl2l1 protein, mouse; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor