Selenocystine-induced cell apoptosis and S-phase arrest inhibit human triple-negative breast cancer cell proliferation

In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2015 Nov;51(10):1077-84. doi: 10.1007/s11626-015-9937-4. Epub 2015 Jul 21.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited effective treatment options. New therapeutic approaches are urgently needed to improve the prognosis of TNBC. Here we demonstrated that a redox modulator, selenocystine (SeC), significantly inhibits TNBC cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Through cell apoptosis assays and cell cycle distribution analyses, we have shown that the in vitro inhibitory effect of SeC on TNBC cells can be attributed to the induction of apoptosis and the S-phase arrest in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, this finding implies that SeC potentially is a novel therapeutic agent for TNBC.

Keywords: Apoptosis; Proliferation; S-phase arrest; Selenocystine; Triple-negative breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects*
  • Cystine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cystine / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Organoselenium Compounds / pharmacology*
  • S Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Organoselenium Compounds
  • selenocystine
  • Cystine