The Role of NF-kB in Normal and Transformed Mammary Epithelium
Abstract
The Rel/NF-kB family of ubiquitous, inducible transcription factors has been implicated in such diverse cellular processes as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Given that these processes occur during mammary gland morphogeneis and that NF-kB activity is upregulated in breast cancer derived cell lines and primary ductal cell carcinomas, the expression and activity of NF-kB factors in the murine mammary gland during pregnancy, lactation, and involution was examined. Northern, western, and immunohistochemical analyses reveal dynamic expression patterns for RelA, p105/p50, p100/p52, and IkBalpha in mammary epithelial cells. NF-kB activity in the mammary gland, as assessed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and by the expression of a luciferase reporter driven by the NF-kB responsive human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat (HIV-LTR) in transgenic mice, is highest during pregnancy. KappaB-activity levels decrease dramatically during lactation, and rise during involution. RelA and p50 containing complexes are present in nuclear extracts from pregnant and involuting glands. These data suggest that NF-kB may play a role in mammary gland proliferation and differentiation during pregnancy, as well as apoptosis during involution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA354360
Entities
People
- Dana M. Brantley
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University