Characterization of the expression of Na+, K+-ATPase subunits in human breast cancer cells

Background: It is well established that the known Na+, K+-ATPase has cell adhesion molecule role in adherens junctions [16]. In so, beta subunit acts on maturation and membrane targeting of a catalytic subunit. Studies have demonstrated the importance of the sodium permeability in tumorigenesis, but there's no study of Na+, K+-ATPase alpha and beta subunit's expression. The aim of the present study is to characterize the expression of Na+, K+-ATPase subunits in human breast cancer cells. Methods and Results: To observe the expression of alpha 1 and beta 1 in MCF-7, MDA-231 and MDCK cells were seeded in 6 well plates for 24, 48 and 72 hours. The measurement of of alpha 1 and beta 1 expression by Western Blotting showed that tumor cell lines do not express beta 1 subunit. Conclusion: Our results indicate that there's a distinct adhesion mechanism in tumor cells, which should explain metastasis.