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The anti-apoptotic protein lifeguard is expressed in breast cancer cells and tissues

Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters volume 15, pages 296–310 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Lifeguard (LFG) is an anti-apoptotic protein that inhibits Fas-mediated death in tumour cells. However, the molecular function of human LFG in the carcinogenesis of human breast cells is uncertain. We studied the expression and function of endogenous LFG in four breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, T-47D and HS 578T), a human breast epithelial cell line (HS 578Bst), and in healthy and cancerous breast tissues. Molecular (Western blot and RT-PCR) and immunohistochemical techniques were used to investigate the LFG expression. To investigate the breast cancer cell proliferation in the presence of Fas, we performed fluorescent cell viability assays. The possible association of Fas with LFG was analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy. In this paper, we provide convincing evidence that LFG is overexpressed in several human breast cancer cell lines. More importantly, we found that the LFG expression correlates with high tumour grades in primary breast tumours. Finally, we demonstrated that Fas sensitivity is reduced in breast cancer cell lines expressing LFG. Our results indicated that LFG is strongly expressed in breast cancer epithelial cells. Moreover, the overexpression of LFG correlated with tumour grade and reduced Fas sensitivity. Our findings support the idea that LFG may have a role in the downregulation of apoptosis in breast cancer cells.

Abbreviations

BI-1:

Bax inhibitor-1

DAPI:

4’, 6’-diamidino-2-phenylindole

EDTA:

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

EGF:

epidermal growth factor

FCS:

fetal calf serum

LFG:

Lifeguard

RT-PCR:

reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction

PMSF:

phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride

PVDF:

polyvinylidene fluoride

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical School of Hannover, Podbielskistraße 380, D-30659, Hannover, Germany

    Vesna Bucan, Kerstin Reimers, Claudia Yu Choi, Mau-Thek Eddy & Peter M. Vogt

  2. Abteilung für Plastische, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Carl-Neubergstr. 1, 30625, Hannover, Germany

    Vesna Bucan

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  1. Vesna Bucan
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  2. Kerstin Reimers
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Correspondence to Vesna Bucan.

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Bucan, V., Reimers, K., Choi, C.Y. et al. The anti-apoptotic protein lifeguard is expressed in breast cancer cells and tissues. Cell Mol Biol Lett 15, 296–310 (2010). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-010-0009-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s11658-010-0009-1

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Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters

ISSN: 1689-1392

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