Gene expression und gene regulation of LDOC1 in breast cancer cells

Purpose Breastcancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Due to its diagnosis in early stage of disease and targeted treatment options the prognosis in general is good.

In this study we analyzed the expression of the tumor suppressor gene LDOC1 as a potential biomarker in breast cancer cell lines. Furthermore we described morphological changes of the cells by adding the methyltransferaseinhibitor AdC (5-aza-2‘-desoxycytidin).

Material and methods Nine breast cancer cell lines were analyzed by RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction) and real time PCR for the expression of LDOC1.

Morphological changes were detected by fluorescence and immunofluorescence.

Results Two of nine breast cancer cell lines showed a loss of expression for the LDOC1 gene. LDOC1 silencing is caused by epigenetical DNA-methylation of the promotor LDOC1 was re-expressed by incubation with AdC.

Fibroblastoid phenotypes of breast cancer cell lines (grape-like, stellate, round) changed to epithelial and flat phenotypes by adding AdC. This process shows epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Conclusion The tumor suppressor gene LDOC1 ist downregulated in breast cancer cell lines by promotormethylation. Re-expression could be achieved by AdC.

AdC also causes changes in the morphological phenotype of breast cancer cells.

Publication History

Article published online:
11 October 2022