Autophagic Cell Death Induced by GANT61 Inhibits Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer Cell Line MCF-7

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of GANT61 on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Methods Cell death was measured by flow cytometry after GANT61 treatment; the total RNA and protein were extracted from the treated cells; the mRNA and protein expression levels of SHH, Gli1, Gli2 and LC3-Ⅱ were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. Autophagosomes formation was observed under transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). After that, 3-MA and atg5 siRNA were used to illustrate the relationship between autophagy and cell death.

Results GANT61 induced significantly the cell death of MCF-7 cells. The expressions of SHH, Gli1 and Gli2 were decreased; however, autophagy marker LC3-II expression was increased after GANT61 treatment. Meanwhile, autophagosomes could be observed under TEM. 3-MA and atg5 siRNA could inhibit GANT61-induced cell death.

Conclusion GANT61 inhibits the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 through autophagic cell death.