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Estrogen prevents sustained COLO-205 human colon cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, decreasing c-myb protein, and decreasing transcription of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2

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Tumor Biology

Abstract

The proto-oncogene c-myb is overexpressed in human colon cancer cells. c-myb is known to be affected by estrogen in some breast cancers and leukemias. However, the mechanism of c-myb regulation via estrogen in colon cancer requires further investigation. Human COLO-205 colon cancer cells were cultured and treated with beta-estradiol for 24 h. Apoptosis was quantified using acridine orange/propidium iodide labeling and confirmed with DNA fragmentation gel electrophoresis. Expression of c-myb protein was assessed via SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting and RT-PCR was used to quantify bcl-2 RNA. Protein and RNA expression levels were also assayed after c-myb siRNA treatment for 24 h. We demonstrate an increase in apoptosis after 24 h of β-estradiol treatment of human COLO-205 colon cancer cells. Estrogen treatment also decreases c-myb protein levels as well as expression of its transcriptional target bcl-2. Suppression of c-myb protein also results in increased apoptosis and decreases bcl-2 expression. These results indicate that estrogen has a protective effect from sustained colon cancer cell growth at least partly through suppression of c-myb and bcl-2.

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Acknowledgments

H. Wilkins is the recipient of two Faculty Development Grants from Assumption College during 2005 and 2007. We wish to express our appreciation to D. Thornton and C. Restrepo for helpful technical support. We are also grateful for manuscript editing provided by R. Stottmann.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Natural Sciences, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA, 01609, USA

    Heather R. Wilkins, Kristin Doucet, Victoria Duke, Amber Morra & Nicole Johnson

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  1. Heather R. Wilkins
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Correspondence to Heather R. Wilkins.

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Wilkins, H.R., Doucet, K., Duke, V. et al. Estrogen prevents sustained COLO-205 human colon cancer cell growth by inducing apoptosis, decreasing c-myb protein, and decreasing transcription of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2. Tumor Biol. 31, 16–22 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13277-009-0003-2

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