A potential estrogen mimetic effect of a bis(ethyl)polyamine analogue on estrogen receptor positive MCF-7 breast cancer cells

BE-3-3-3-3 (1,15-(ethylamino)4,8,12-triazapentadecane) is a bis(ethyl)polyamine analogue under investigation as a therapeutic agent for breast cancer. Since estradiol (E-2) is a critical regulatory molecule in the growth of breast cancer, we examined the effect of BE-3-3-3-3 on estrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha) positive MCF-7 cells in the presence and absence of E-2. In the presence of E-2, a concentration-dependent decrease in DNA synthesis was observed using [H-3]-thymidine incorporation assay. In the absence of E-2, low concentrations (2.5-10 mu M) of BE-3-3-3-3 increased [H-3]-thymidine incorporation at 24 and 48 h. BE-3-3-3-3 induced the expression of early response genes, c-myc and c-fos, in the absence of E-2, but not in its presence, as determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). BE-3-3-3-3 had no significant effect on these genes in an ER alpha-negative cell line, MDA-MB-231. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated enhanced promoter occupation by either E-2 or BE-3-3-3-3 of an estrogen-responsive gene pS2/Tff1 by ER alpha and its co-activator, steroid receptor co-activator 3 (SRC-3). Confocal microscopy of BE-3-3-3-3-treated cells revealed membrane localization of ER alpha, similar to that induced by E-2. The failure of BE-3-3-3-3 to inhibit cell proliferation was associated with autophagic vacuole formation, and the induction of Beclin 1 and MAP LC3 II. These results indicate a differential effect of BE-3-3-3-3 on MCF-7 cells in the absence and presence of E-2, and suggest that pre-clinical and clinical development of polyamine analogues might require special precautions and selection of sensitive subpopulation of patients.