Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12(11), 7445-7458; doi:10.3390/ijms12117445
Article

gef Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells is Associated with a Better Prognosis and Induction of Apoptosis by p53-Mediated Signaling Pathway

Houria Boulaiz 1,2,* email, Pablo J. Álvarez 1,2 email, Jose Prados 1,2 email, Juan Marchal 1,2 email, Consolación Melguizo 1,2 email, Esmeralda Carrillo 1,2 email, Macarena Peran 2,3 email, Fernando Rodríguez 1 email, Alberto Ramírez 2,3 email, Raúl Ortíz 2,3 email and Antonia Aránega 1,2,* email
1 Basic Cardiovascular Research Section, Department of Anatomy and Human Embriology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada E-18012, Spain 2 Biopathology and Medicine Regenerative Institute (IBIMER), Granada 18100, Spain 3 Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, E-23071 Jaén, Spain
* Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 26 September 2011; in revised form: 20 October 2011 / Accepted: 26 October 2011 / Published: 31 October 2011
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Abstract: Breast cancer research has developed rapidly in the past few decades, leading to longer survival times for patients and opening up the possibility of developing curative treatments for advanced breast cancer. Our increasing knowledge of the biological pathways associated with the progression and development of breast cancer, alongside the failure of conventional treatments, has prompted us to explore gene therapy as an alternative therapeutic strategy. We previously reported that gef gene from E. coli has shown considerable cytotoxic effects in breast cancer cells. However, its action mechanism has not been elucidated. Indirect immunofluorescence technique using flow cytometry and immunocytochemical analysis were used to detect breast cancer markers: estrogen (ER) and progesterone (PR) hormonal receptors, human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 proto-oncogene (c-erbB-2), ki-67 antigen and p53 protein. gef gene induces an increase in ER and PR expressions and a decrease in ki-67 and c-erbB-2 gene expressions, indicating a better prognosis and response to treatment and a longer disease‑free interval and survival. It also increased p53 expression, suggesting that gef‑induced apoptosis is regulated by a p53-mediated signaling pathway. These findings support the hypothesis that the gef gene offers a new approach to gene therapy in breast cancer.
Keywords: breast cancer; gef gene; tumor markers; loss of tumor malignancy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Boulaiz, H.; Álvarez, P.J.; Prados, J.; Marchal, J.; Melguizo, C.; Carrillo, E.; Peran, M.; Rodríguez, F.; Ramírez, A.; Ortíz, R.; Aránega, A. gef Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells is Associated with a Better Prognosis and Induction of Apoptosis by p53-Mediated Signaling Pathway. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2011, 12, 7445-7458.

AMA Style

Boulaiz H, Álvarez PJ, Prados J, Marchal J, Melguizo C, Carrillo E, Peran M, Rodríguez F, Ramírez A, Ortíz R, Aránega A. gef Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells is Associated with a Better Prognosis and Induction of Apoptosis by p53-Mediated Signaling Pathway. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2011; 12(11):7445-7458.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Boulaiz, Houria; Álvarez, Pablo J.; Prados, Jose; Marchal, Juan; Melguizo, Consolación; Carrillo, Esmeralda; Peran, Macarena; Rodríguez, Fernando; Ramírez, Alberto; Ortíz, Raúl; Aránega, Antonia. 2011. "gef Gene Expression in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells is Associated with a Better Prognosis and Induction of Apoptosis by p53-Mediated Signaling Pathway." Int. J. Mol. Sci. 12, no. 11: 7445-7458.

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