[Effect of calmodulin antagonist O-4-ethoxyl- butyl-berbamine on the proliferation of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and its relevant mechanism].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of calmodulin antagonist O-(4-ethoxyl-butyl)-berbamine (EBB) on proliferation of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 and its possible mechanism.

METHODS

MTT assay was used to analyze the effect of EBB on tumor cells growth. Flow cytometry was used to detect its impact on the cell cycle of MCF-7 cells. Immunofluoresce labeling technique and laser scanning confocal microscope were used to reveal the changes of the microtubule, microfilament, mitochondrion, and endoplasmic reticulum in the cells.

RESULTS

The IC50 value of EBB in MCF-7 cells was (13.0 +/- 3.7) micromol/L. MCF-7 cells were arrested at S phase after EBB treatment. Meanwhile, depolymerization of the microtubule and microfilament, impairment of the mitochondrion and swelling of endoplasmic reticulum were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

EBB arrests MCF-7 cells at S phase by inhibiting the growth of MCF-7 cells, which may be related to the changes of structures and functions of the microtubule, microfilament, mitochondrion, and endoplasmic reticulum.