2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the effects of 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether (TDB), isolated from Symphyocladia latiuscula (marine red algae), on the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. TDB treatment for 48 h inhibited cancer cell growth and induced DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, morphological characterizations such as apoptotic bodies and membrane blebs were shown by electronic microscopy. TDB-induced apoptosis in the MCF-7 cells was closely linked with the down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression and the cleavage of caspase-3 substrates, with poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage occurring by TDB treatment. TDB treatment also caused a marked increase in the level of p21WAF1/CIP1 protein in a p53-dependent manner. In addition, the upregulation of p21WAF1/CIP1 in the MCF-7 cells was related to a decrease in c-Myc protein in a dose-dependent manner. Based on our data, TDB is a good candidate for further evaluation as an effective chemotherapeutic agent, acting through the induction of apoptosis.

• Authors: Ji-Hyeon Lee, Sang Eun Park, Mohammad Akbar Hossain, Min Young Kim, Mi-Na Kim, Hae Young Chung, Jae Sue Choi, Young Hyun Yoo, Nam Deuk Kim
• Journal: Archives of pharmacal research (Arch Pharm Res) Vol. 30 Issue 9 Pg. 1132-7 (Sep 2007) ISSN: 0253-6269 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 17958331 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• 2,3,6-tribromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl methyl ether
• Antineoplastic Agents
• CDKN1A protein, human
• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21
• Ethers
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Breast Neoplasms (drug therapy, pathology)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Proliferation (drug effects)
• Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 (analysis)
• Ethers (pharmacology)
• Female
• Humans
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 (analysis)
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun (analysis)
• Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 (analysis, physiology)