Methylmercury promotes breast cancer cell proliferation.

ABSTRACT:

Context

Metalloestrogens are small ionic metals that activate the estrogen receptor (ER). Studies have shown that when metalloestrogens bind to the ER, there is an increase in transcription and expression of estrogen-regulated genes, which induces proliferation of estrogen-dependent breast cancer. Methylmercury (MeHg), a metalloestrogen, is present in the environment and is toxic at moderate to high concentrations. However, at lower concentrations MeHg may promote the proliferation of ER-positive breast cancers and protect cells against pro-apoptotic signals.

Objective

To investigate the effects of MeHg treatment on breast cancer cells in vitro.

Materials and methods

MCF7 breast cancer cells were treated with concentrations of MeHg ranging from 1 nM to 100 mM. Hg anal

SUBMITTER: Gaudet HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5984200 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature