13-MTD induces apoptosis of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by activating MAPK pathway and inhibiting Akt signaling

［ABSTRACT］AIM: To study the effect of 13-methyltetradecanoic acid (13-MTD), a saturated branched-chain fatty acid, on apoptotic induction in breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and normal breast epithelial cells MaEC were treated with solvent or 13-MTD at concentration of 140 mg/L. Apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Phosphorylation of JNK, p38, FADD and Akt after treated with 13-MTD were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: 13-MTD effectively induced apoptosis of breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7 and no influence to normal breast epithelial cells MaEC, which were confirmed by flow cytometry analysis, was observed. The results of Western blotting showed that obvious increase in p38 and JNK phosphorylation. No significant difference of FADD phosphorylation was observed. However, evidently decrease in Akt phosphorylation was found after treated with 13-MTD. CONCLUSION: 13-MTD was a new safe, effective chemotherapeutic drug. Its underlying mechanisms are through activating MAPK pathway and inhibiting Akt pathway to induce the cancer cells apoptosis.