Melatonin increases p53 and p21WAF1 expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in vitro.
The aim of the present work was to study whether melatonin, at physiological concentrations, exerts its antiproliferative effects on MCF-7 human breast cancer cells by inducing the expression of some of the proteins involved in the control of the cell cycle. MCF-7 cells were cultured for 48 h in DMEM media containing either melatonin (1 nM) or the diluent (0.001% ethanol). At this concentration, after 48 hours of incubation, melatonin reduced the number of viable cells in relation to controls. The decreased cell proliferation was coincident with a significant increase in the expression of p53 as well as p21WAF1 proteins. These results demonstrate that melatonin inhibits MCF-7 cell proliferation by inducing an arrest of cell cycle dependent on an increased expression of p21WAF1 protein, which is mediated by the p53 pathway.
Mediavilla
M D
MD
Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
Cos
S
S
Sánchez-Barceló
E J
EJ
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D008550:Melatonin