Visit our Expo - Redox and Inflammation signaling 2012

Session X : Cell death in cancer Poster X, 96
Breast cancer cells response to the antineoplastic agents cisplatin, carboplatin and
doxorubicin, at the mRNA expression levels of distinct apoptosis-related genes,
including the new member, BCL2L12.
Hellinida Thomadaki and Andreas Scorilas
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of
Athens, Panepistimioupolis, Zografou, 15 701, Athens, Greece, Email:
elthoma@biol.uoa.gr, ascorilas@biol.uoa.gr
The drugs cisplatin, carboplatin and doxorubicin exhibit anticancer activity, the mechanism of
which is not yet completely clarified, although these agents are known to modulate the
expression of several genes including apoptosis-related genes, such as members of the BCL2
family. Recently, BCL2L12, a new member of the BCL2 family, was cloned by our group. In
order to define unequivocally the significance of the expression patterns of such genes as a
response to anticancer drug cytotoxic activity, we studied the possible alterations in the
mRNA expression levels of various apoptosis-related genes (BCL2, BAX, BCL2L12,
CASPASE-9, FAS), after cell treatment with distinct anticancer drugs (cisplatin, carboplatin
and doxorubicin), in the breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. The kinetics of cell toxicity were
evaluated by the MTT method, whereas the expression levels of distinct apoptosis-related
genes were analysed by RT-PCR, using gene specific primers. The percentage of non-viable
cells was up regulated with increasing concentrations and cell exposure time to the different
anticancer drugs. Distinct modulations of apoptosis-related genes, at the mRNA level, were
also observed. Further work is required in order to ascertain whether the mRNA expression
levels of distinct apoptosis-related genes may serve as a new prognostic factor predicting
chemotherapy outcome in breast cancer. Acknowledgements: The present research was
supported by an "EPEAEK II" grant, under the act “PYTHAGORAS I – SUPPORT OF
UNIVERSITY RESEARCH GROUPS”, with co-funding of 75% from the European Social
Fund and 25% from National Funds.
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