Gene Expression Profiling of Breast Cancer Cell Lines in Response to Soy Isoflavones Using a Pangenomic Microarray Approach

TLDR: Evaluated the transcriptional responsiveness of breast cancer cells to soy phytoestrogens using a whole-genome microarray-based approach and identified 278 and 334 differentially expressed genes after genistein or daidzein treatment, respectively, in estrogen-positive and estrogen-negative cells.

Abstract: Although the rate of breast cancer differs between women in Asian and Western countries, molecular genetics/genomics basis of this epidemiological observation remains elusive. Moreover, the intake of phytoestrogens is associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer. Genistein and daidzein are the primary soy isoflavones with a chemical structure similar to estrogens. Conceivably, the actions of phytoestrogens on gene expression signatures might mediate their postulated effects on breast cancer pathogenesis. The present study evaluated the transcriptional responsiveness of breast cancer cells to soy phytoestrogens using a whole-genome microarray-based approach. Human breast cancer cell lines and a fibrocystic breast cell line were treated with genistein or daidzein. We identified 278 and 334 differentially expressed genes after genistein or daidzein treatment, respectively, in estrogen-positive (MCF-7) and estrogen-negative (MDA-MB-231, MCF-10a) cells. Hierarchical clustering of this finding re...