title: Calycosin and genistein induce apoptosis by inactivation of HOTAIR/p-Akt signaling pathway in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Calycosin and genistein are the two main components of isoflavones. Previously, we reported that these compounds display antitumor activities in the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and T47D. In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of action of calycosin and genistein, and their respective efficacies as potential therapies for the treatment of breast carcinoma in the clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  MCF-7 cells were treated with calycosin or genistein. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured using CCK8 assay and Hoechst 33258. The expression level of phosphorylated Akt protein was determined by western blotting. Expression level of HOTAIR was quantified by real-time PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both calycosin and genistein inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, especially after treatment with calycosin. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with calycosin or genistein resulted in decreased phosphorylation of Akt, and decreased expression of its downstream target, HOTAIR.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calycosin is more effective in inhibiting breast cancer growth in comparison with genistein, through its regulation of Akt signaling pathways and HOTAIR expression.
authors.affiliation: School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Changrong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Zhaoquan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007529:Isoflavones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061986:MCF-7 Cells; D010766:Phosphorylation; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: C561566:HOTAIR long untranslated RNA, human; D007529:Isoflavones; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding; C121707:7,3'-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyisoflavone; D019833:Genistein; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt