Discovery of Protein Markers in Breast Cancer by Mass Spectrometry
Abstract
One of the earliest common changes in the development of breast cancer occurs when some breast epithelial cells begin to grow and proliferate independently of estradiol (E2). We are conducting studies on model breast epithelial cell lines: MCF7 cells, whose proliferation is dependent on estradiol; and LCCl cells, a cell line derived from MCF7 with an acquired E2 independence for growth. We continue to apply proteomics techniques (two dimensional electrophoresis, image analysis and protein identification by mass spectrometry) to characterize broadly the patterns of protein expression in these two cell lines and their regulation by estradiol. We have identified several dozens of proteins in MCF7 cells which are up- or down-regulated in association with E2-controlled proliferation. Many of these are seen constitutively altered in the LCC1 cells grown in the absence of E2. While there is little or no effect of E2 on the proliferation of LCC1 cells, we find many proteins whose levels are altered by the addition of E2. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that E2-dependent MCF7 cells undergo apoptosis upon removal of E2 while the LCC1 cells have lost the ability to induce apoptosis upon removal of E2 and thereby display E2-independent growth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA406377
Entities
People
- Steven H. Seeholzer
Organizations
- Fox Chase Cancer Center