Effect of resveratrol on MDC1 gene expression in human breast cancer cells

Objective To investigate the effect of resveratrol(Res) on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MDA- MB-231 and expression of MDC1 gene. Methods Breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 was used for the study. The proliferation of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 was measured by MTS assay. The MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis was observed by acridine orange fluorescent staining. The expressions of MDC1 gene and protein were tested by PCR(qRT-PCR)and Western blot, respectively. The MDA-MB-231 cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The effect of resveratrol and small interfering RNA interference(siRNA) MDC1 gene knockdown on cell proliferation and apoptosis were also measured by flow cytometry. Results MTS assay showed the proliferation of breast cancer cell MDA-MB-231 could be significantly inhibited by 50 μmol / L and above of Res(P0.05). Acridine orange fluorescent staining showed Res enhanced the apoptosis and autophagy of MDA- MB-231 cells. PCR(qRT-PCR)and Western blot showed the expression of MDC1 gene and protein could be decreased by 80 and 160 μmol / L Res(P 0.05). Flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate of experimental group with MDC1-siRNA knockdown was(45.13±6.2)%, while the apoptotic rate of negative control group was(24.34±2.6)% and that of without treatment group was(17.69±4.9)%. MDC1 knockdown by siRNA, could also enhance the drug sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to resveratrol. Conclusion Resveratrol could inhibit the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells and decrease the expression of MDC1 gene and protein. MDC1-siRNA gene knockdown could significantly decrease the apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells and increase the sensitivity of MDA-MB-231 cells to resveratrol.