biostudies-literatureJiao YScientific Research Foundation of the Education Department of Yunnan ProvinceMajor Project of Yunnan Science and Technology ProgramCultivating Plan Program for the Leader in Science and Technology of Yunnan Provincee0298262https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC10977736biostudies-literatureUnknown19(3)MCF7 cells have been used as an experimental model for breast cancer for decades. Typically, a culture medium is designed to supply cells with the nutrients essential for their continuous proliferation. Each medium has a specific nutritional composition. Therefore, cells cultured in different media may exhibit differences in their metabolism. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of media on cells. In this study, we compared the effects of Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) and minimum essential medium alpha modification (αMEM) on MCF7 cells. The two media differentially affected the morphology, cell cycle, and proliferation of MCF7 cells, but had no effect on cell death. Replacement of DMEM with αMEM led to a decrease in ATP production and an increase in reactive PloS oneTranscriptome-wide analysis of the differences between MCF7 cells cultured in DMEM or αMEM.PMC109777362019FE001(-176)202002AA100007 and 202102AA100007-32021J0226202101AY070001-075Lu LZheng BWang YJiao YZhao HZhao XfalseTranscriptome-wide analysis of the differences between MCF7 cells cultured in DMEM or αMEM.MCF7 cells have been used as an experimental model for breast cancer for decades. Typically, a culture medium is designed to supply cells with the nutrients essential for their continuous proliferation. Each medium has a specific nutritional composition. Therefore, cells cultured in different media may exhibit differences in their metabolism. However, only a few studies have investigated the effects of media on cells. In this study, we compared the effects of Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (DMEM) and minimum essential medium alpha modification (αMEM) on MCF7 cells. The two media differentially affected the morphology, cell cycle, and proliferation of MCF7 cells, but had no effect on cell death. Replacement of DMEM with αMEM led to a decrease in ATP production and an increase in reactive 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z20242026-07-16T04:13:00.167Z2025-04-05T23:18:13.761ZS-EPMC109777363854723410.1371/journal.pone.0298262