Induction of apoptosis in a human breast cancer cell overexpressing ErbB-2 receptor by alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid.

Abstract

The overexpression of ErbB-2 receptor relates to malignant transformation of breast cancer. The present study was carried out to establish the usefulness of alpha-tocopheryloxybutyric acid (TE) as a chemotherapeutic agent for human breast cancer. TE caused induction of apoptosis in MDA-MB-453 cells overexpressing the ErbB-2 receptor. TE reduced levels of activated ErbB-2 receptor and Akt. In contrast, TE induced the activation of p38, and SB203580, a specific inhibitor for p38, attenuated the TE-induced apoptosis. These data indicate that simultaneous occurrences of Akt inhibition and p38 activation by TE result in the cell death.

• Authors: Akihiko Akazawa, Kazuhiro Nishikawa, Kazuyuki Suzuki, Ryuji Asano, Itsumaru Kumadaki, Haruna Satoh, Kiyokazu Hagiwara, Sung Jae Shin, Tomohiro Yano
• Journal: Japanese journal of pharmacology (Jpn J Pharmacol) Vol. 89 Issue 4 Pg. 417-21 (Aug 2002) ISSN: 0021-5198 [Print] Japan
• PMID: 12233821 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• tocopheryloxybutyric acid
• Vitamin E
• Receptor, ErbB-2

Topics

• Apoptosis (drug effects, physiology)
• Breast Neoplasms (genetics, metabolism)
• Cell Survival (drug effects, physiology)
• DNA Fragmentation (drug effects, physiology)
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic (drug effects, physiology)
• Humans
• Receptor, ErbB-2 (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Tumor Cells, Cultured
• Vitamin E (analogs & derivatives, pharmacology)