Baicalein suppresses 17-β-estradiol-induced migration, adhesion and invasion of breast cancer cells via the G protein-coupled receptor 30 signaling pathway

Oncol Rep. 2015 Apr;33(4):2077-85. doi: 10.3892/or.2015.3786. Epub 2015 Feb 5.

Abstract

Flavonoids are structurally similar to steroid hormones, particularly estrogens, and therefore have been studied for their potential effects on hormone-dependent cancers. Baicalein is the primary flavonoid derived from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. In the present study, we investigated the effects of baicalein on 17β-estradiol (E2)-induced migration, adhesion and invasion of MCF-7 and SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells. The results demonstrated that baicalein suppressed E2-stimulated wound-healing migration and cell‑Matrigel adhesion, and ameliorated E2-promoted invasion across a Matrigel-coated Transwell membrane. Furthermore, baicalein interfered with E2-induced novel G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPR30)-related signaling, including a decrease in tyrosine phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) as well as phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and serine/threonine kinase Akt, without affecting GPR30 expression. The results also showed that baicalein suppressed the expression of GPR30 target genes, cysteine-rich 61 (CYR61) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) induced by E2. Furthermore, baicalein prevented GPR30-related signaling activation and upregulation of CYR61 and CTGF mRNA levels induced by G1, a specific GPR 30 agonist. The results suggest that baicalein inhibits E2-induced migration, adhesion and invasion through interfering with GPR30 signaling pathway activation, which indicates that it may act as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of GPR30-positive breast cancer metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Cell Adhesion / drug effects*
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / genetics
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / genetics
  • Cysteine-Rich Protein 61 / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Estradiol / pharmacology*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / genetics
  • Female
  • Flavanones / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness / genetics*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Receptors, Estrogen / genetics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • CCN1 protein, human
  • CCN2 protein, human
  • Cysteine-Rich Protein 61
  • Flavanones
  • GPER1 protein, human
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • baicalein
  • Estradiol
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases