WDNM1 is associated with differentiation and apoptosis of mammary epithelial cells.

In this study, we show that expression of the Westmead DMBA8 nonmetastatic cDNA 1 (WDNM1) gene was increased upon SFM and/or TNF alpha treatment, with a corresponding increase in apoptotic cells, and gradually decreased following re-stimulation with serum in HC11 mammary epithelial cells. TNF alpha induced WDNM1 expression showed the NF kappa B-dependent mechanism since it's expression was abrogated in IBM (super-repressor of NF kappa B)-transfected cells, but not those transfected with control vector. Furthermore, overexpression of WDNM1 suppressed growth and differentiation, and accelerated apoptosis of HC11 cells. Thus, our results demonstrate that WDNM1 gene expression, regulated by the TNF alpha-NF kappa B signal pathway, is associated with HC11 cell apoptosis.