The pesticide malathion induces alterations in actin cytoskeleton and in cell adhesion of cultured breast carcinoma cells

  • Authors:
    • G. Cabello
    • S. Galaz
    • L. Botella
    • G. Calaf
    • M. Pacheco
    • J. C. Stockert
    • A. Villanueva
    • M. Cañete
    • A. Juarranz
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: September 1, 2003     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.3.697
  • Pages: 697-704
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Abstract

We have studied the effects of the organophosphorous pesticide malathion on cell viability, actin cytoskeleton, cell adhesion complex E-cadherin/β-catenin, and Rho and Rac1 GTPases from the human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7. Malathion induced cell lethality, determined by the MTT assay, depending on the treatment conditions. Cells incubated with low concentrations of malathion, 16-32 µg/ml, showed high survival rates (>95%) at any evaluated time (1-5 days), whereas complete cell lethality was found using 512 µg/ml and 5 days of treatment. Deep morphological changes were induced with high doses of 64 and 128 µg/ml, and long incubation time (5 days); cells showed perinuclear vacuoles, rounding, shrinkage, and a gradual loss of adhesion. These changes were related to a decrease in the expression of the adhesion molecules, E-cadherin and β-catenin, and to the distribution and reactivity of actin microfilaments to TRITC-phalloidin. Disruption of microfilaments, accompanied by the collapse of actin to perinuclear region, were characteristic of cells with loss of adhesion. At lower concentrations, some cells presented deformations on the plasma membrane as lamellipodia-like structures, which were particularly evident from 32 to 128 µg/ml. Conversely, we observed an increase in the expression of Rho and Rac1 GTPases, modulators of actin cytoskeleton and cell adhesion.

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September 2003
Volume 23 Issue 3

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Cabello G, Galaz S, Botella L, Calaf G, Pacheco M, Stockert JC, Villanueva A, Cañete M and Juarranz A: The pesticide malathion induces alterations in actin cytoskeleton and in cell adhesion of cultured breast carcinoma cells. Int J Oncol 23: 697-704, 2003
APA
Cabello, G., Galaz, S., Botella, L., Calaf, G., Pacheco, M., Stockert, J.C. ... Juarranz, A. (2003). The pesticide malathion induces alterations in actin cytoskeleton and in cell adhesion of cultured breast carcinoma cells. International Journal of Oncology, 23, 697-704. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.3.697
MLA
Cabello, G., Galaz, S., Botella, L., Calaf, G., Pacheco, M., Stockert, J. C., Villanueva, A., Cañete, M., Juarranz, A."The pesticide malathion induces alterations in actin cytoskeleton and in cell adhesion of cultured breast carcinoma cells". International Journal of Oncology 23.3 (2003): 697-704.
Chicago
Cabello, G., Galaz, S., Botella, L., Calaf, G., Pacheco, M., Stockert, J. C., Villanueva, A., Cañete, M., Juarranz, A."The pesticide malathion induces alterations in actin cytoskeleton and in cell adhesion of cultured breast carcinoma cells". International Journal of Oncology 23, no. 3 (2003): 697-704. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.23.3.697