Molecular mechanism of proliferation and apoptosis in breast cancer MCF-7 cells by penta-brominated diphenyl ethers

Objective:To investigate the molecular mechanisms of proliferation and apoptosis by penta-brominated Diphenyl Ethers through regulation of mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Methods:Human breast cancer MCF-7 cells were grown in DMEM medium,MTT assay was employed to investigate cell proliferation.RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry was performed to determine mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax,Results:Within the range of 1×(10~(-8)～10~(-4))mol/L,5-BDEs stimulated proliferation in MCF-7 cells with a dose-dependent and time-dependent fashion.RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that treatment with 1×(10~(-8)～10~(-4))mol/L for 72h resulted in increased mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 and inhibition of Bax.Conclusion:5-BDE possessed estrogenic activity and could markedly stimulate proliferation in estrogen responsive breast cancer MCF-7 cells.Up-regulation of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression was suggested to be involved in this biological effect.