Morphological and molecular characterization of the human breast epithelial cell line M13SV1 and its tumorigenic derivatives M13SV1-R2-2 and M13SV1-R2-N1.

Background: The estrogen receptor-positive M13SV1 breast epithelial cell line was proposed to be a suitable in vitro model for breast cancer research since two derivatives with graduated tumorigenicity-M13SV1-R2-2 and M13SV1-R2-N1-are available for this cell line. In the present study, these three cell lines were comparatively examined for their morphological and their biochemical properties on the molecular level.

Methods: A transcriptomic approach (gene array analysis) was chosen to unravel differences in gene expression among the three cell lines.

Valproic acid and its derivatives enhanced estrogenic activity but not androgenic activity in a structure dependent manner.

Steroid hormones affect metabolic pathways and cellular functions. Valproic acid (VPA), used as antiepileptic drug, inhibits histone deacetylases and interacts with intracellular receptors. We analyzed the impact of VPA and VPA derivatives on activation of estrogen and androgen receptors (ER and AR) using reporter gene assays.

Embryotoxic effects of the marine biotoxin okadaic acid on murine embryonic stem cells.

Okadaic acid (OA), a marine toxin produced by dinoflagellates, can accumulate in various bivalve molluscs. In humans, consumption of OA induces acute toxic effects like diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. OA is a potent inhibitor of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and 2A (PP2A), enzymes that are known to be critical regulators of embryonic development.