ABSTRACT
Objective To study the effects of different n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio on the lipid metabolic gene expression and MAPK activity in breast cancer cell lines. Methods MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, or n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, or the mixture of n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid at ratio of 1∶1, 5∶1, 10∶1. The cell proliferation capacity was detected by MTT, the expression of lipid metabolic gene (COX-2, 5-LOX, PPAR? and PPAR?) were assayed by RT-PCR, MAPK phosphorylation levels were detected by Western blotting. Results COX-2 mRNA expression was not found in MCF-7 cells. As compared to normal control group, pure n-6 and 10∶1 n-6/n-3 promoted cell proliferation, up-regulated the expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, PPAR? and PPAR? mRNA , increased MAPK phosphorylation levels in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells (P
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of lovastatin on MAPK activity in MCF 7 breast cancer cells. Methods After MCF 7 cells were treated with 4, 8 and 16 ?mol/L lovastatin for 48～72 h, the expressions of ERK1 and p38 MAPK proteins were detected by Western blotting. Their phosphorylation levels were observed by kinase activity assay. Results MCF 7 cells treated with different doses of lovastatin for 48～72 h had no significant effect on the protein level of ERK1, but the activities of ERK1 and the P38 MAPK proteins were down regulated at 72 h after treatment. Conclusion Lovastatin may down regulate the activity of MAPK in MCF 7 cells by means of inhibiting the mevalonate metabolism pathway and/or affecting phosphorylation levels.