Zip6-attenuation promotes epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in ductal breast tumor (T47D) cells.
Breast cancer is associated with zinc (Zn) hyper-accumulation in breast tissue which is postulated to be potentiated by the over-expression of Zn importing proteins. Zip6 (LIV-1) over-expression has been documented in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast tumors. Anti-estrogens, such as fulvestrant, are typically prescribed for ER+ breast cancer and thus may play a role in modulating cellular Zn hyper-accumulation. Herein, we investigated the physiological relevance of Zip6 over-expression and the consequences of Zip6-attenuation in breast tumor cells as a mechanism in the development of anti-estrogen resistance. We documented that over-expression of Zip6 was associated with significantly higher cellular Zn levels in tumor cells compared with normal breast cells. Fulvestrant significantly reduced Zn accumulation in tumor cells, without robust effects on Zip6 protein abundance. Zip6-attenuation significantly reduced cellular Zn pools, which was associated with increased mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsim) and decreased apoptotic stimuli (cytoplasmic cytochrome C release, caspase-3 and -9 activities). Importantly, decreased apoptosis significantly increased tumor colony formation in soft agar and was associated with reduced E-cadherin expression. Our data suggest that anti-estrogen treatment regulates Zn level and importantly verify that Zip6 over-expression is not an underlying mechanism initiating breast cancer, but in fact may play a "tumor-constraining" role.
Lopez
Veronica
V
Department of Nutritional Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 222 Chandlee, University Park, PA 16802-6110, USA.
Kelleher
Shannon L
SL
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018270:Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D020169:Caspases / Q000378:metabolism; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002452:Cell Count; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004848:Epithelium / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D000077267:Fulvestrant; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014410:Tumor Stem Cell Assay; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D027682:Cation Transport Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; C418627:SLC39A6 protein, human; D000077267:Fulvestrant; D004958:Estradiol; D020169:Caspases; D015032:Zinc