β-elemene decreases cell invasion by upregulating E-cadherin expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Zhang,Xian; Zhang,Yang; Li,Yinghua

doi:10.3892/or.2013.2519

β-elemene decreases cell invasion by upregulating E-cadherin expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Authors:
- Xian Zhang
- Yang Zhang
- Yinghua Li
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Affiliations: Department of Oncology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116023, P.R. China
Published online on: June 4, 2013 https://doi.org/10.3892/or.2013.2519
Pages: 745-750

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Abstract

Inactivation of E-cadherin results in cell migration and invasion, hence leading to cancer aggressiveness and metastasis. Downregulation of E-cadherin is closely correlated with a poor prognosis in invasive breast cancer. Thus, re-introducing E-cadherin is a novel strategy for cancer therapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the traditional Chinese medicine, β-elemene (ELE), on E-cadherin expression, cell migration and invasion in the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. MCF-7 cells were treated with 50 and 100 µg/ml ELE. E-cadherin mRNA was analyzed by reverse transcription‑polymerase chain reaction. E-cadherin protein levels were determined by immunofluorescence and western blot assays. Cell motility was measured by a Transwell assay. ELE increased both the protein and mRNA levels of E-cadherin, accompanied by decreased cell migration and invasion. Further analysis demonstrated that ELE upregulated estrogen receptor‑α (ERα) and metastasis-associated protein 3 (MTA3), and decreased the nuclear transcription factor Snail. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that ELE decreases cell migration and invasion by upregulating E-cadherin expression via controlling the ERα/MTA3/Snail signaling pathway.

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