NYMC Faculty Publications

Phenethyl Isothiocyanate and Paclitaxel Synergistically Enhanced Apoptosis and Alpha-Tubulin Hyperacetylation in Breast Cancer Cells

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1186/2162-3619-3-5

Journal Title

Experimental Hematology & Oncology

First Page

5

Last Page

5

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-5-2014

Department

Medicine

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Combination of phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) and paclitaxel (taxol) has been shown to work synergistically to increase apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in breast cancer cells. In this report, we further explored the mechanisms for the synergistic activity of PEITC and taxol in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 (MB) breast cancer cell lines. By Western blotting analysis, treatment of MCF7 cells with both PEITC and taxol led to a 10.4-fold and 5.96-fold increase in specific acetylation of alpha-tubulin over single agent PEITC and taxol, respectively. This synergistic effect on acetylation of alpha-tubulin was also seen in MB cells. The combination of PEITC and taxol also reduced expressions of cell cycle regulator Cdk1, and anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2, enhanced expression of Bax and cleavage of PARP proteins. In conclusion, this study provided biochemical evidence for the mechanism of synergistic effect between the epigenetic agent PEITC and the chemotherapeutic agent taxol.

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