Activation of the steroid and xenobiotic receptor, SXR, induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The steroid and xenobiotic receptor, SXR, is an orphan nuclear receptor that regulates metabolism of diverse dietary, endobiotic, and xenobiotic compounds. SXR is expressed at high levels in the liver and intestine, and at lower levels in breast and other tissues where its function was unknown. Since many breast cancer preventive and therapeutic compounds are SXR activators, we hypothesized that some beneficial effects of these compounds are mediated through SXR.

Methods

To test this hypothesis, we measured proliferation of breast cancer cells in response to SXR activators and evaluated consequent changes in the expression of genes critical for proliferation and cell-cycle control using quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. Results were confirmed using siRNA-m

SUBMITTER: Verma S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2631587 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature