Dissemin is shutting down on January 1st, 2025

Published in

Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2021

DOI: 10.34172/ps.2021.22

Links

Tools

Export citation

Search in Google Scholar

Concanavalin-A shows synergistic cytotoxicity with tamoxifen via inducing apoptosis in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: In vitro and molecular docking studies

This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

Full text: Download

Red circle
Preprint: archiving forbidden
Red circle
Postprint: archiving forbidden
Green circle
Published version: archiving allowed
Data provided by SHERPA/RoMEO

Abstract

Background: Tamoxifen (TAM) is the main treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer, however; its adverse effects and development of resistance hinder its use. Concanavalin A (Con A) is a mannose/glucose-binding lectin that has been reported to induce apoptosis in a variety of cell lines. Methods: Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the effects of Con A on TAM-induced cell death in ERα positive cell line (MCF-7) and to identify the potential underlying molecular mechanisms using in silico and in vitro techniques. Results: Our results demonstrated that combined treatment with Con A and TAM reduced the expression of ERα, which showed clear synergistic effects on inhibiting the cell viability of MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, the combined treatment induces G1 phase arrest and reduces cyclin D1 activity while increasing apoptosis and autophagy as indicated by decreasing the expression level of anti-apoptosis gene BCl-2 and increased apoptosis/autophagic gene BNIP3. Molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding affinity of Con A towards ERα, and it revealed its potential activity as an ERα antagonist. Our data further indicated that Con A administration increased the drug reduction index of TAM. Conclusion: Overall, our findings suggested that Con A could be used as an adjuvant agent with TAM to improve its effectiveness as an anticancer agent while minimizing its side effects.