Systematic characterization of zinc in a series of breast cancer cell lines reveals significant changes in zinc homeostasis.

ABSTRACT: An optimal amount of zinc (Zn²⁺) is essential for proliferation of human cells; Zn²⁺ levels that are too high or too low cause cell cycle exit. Tumors of the breast have been characterized by high levels of total Zn²⁺. Given the role of Zn²⁺ in proliferation of human cells and elevation of zinc in breast cancer tumors, we examined the concentration of total and labile Zn²⁺ across a panel of five breast cancer cell lines compared to the normal MCF10A cell line. We found that three cell lines (MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-157, and SK-Br-3) showed elevated labile Zn²⁺ in the cytosol, while T-47D showed significantly lower Zn²⁺, and MCF7 showed no change compared to MCF10A cells. There was no change in total Zn²⁺ acr

SUBMITTER: Woyciehowsky M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12314376 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature