Justin D. Rondeau
Published: 2019
Total Pages: 0
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Progesterone (P4) imparts distinct effects in the breast via its progesterone receptors (PRs) PRA and PRB. Since the gap junction and tumour suppressor protein Connexin 43 (Cx43) is differentially regulated by P4 via PRA/B in human myometrial cells, we sought to delineate the roles of PRA/B on Cx43 in breast cancer cells. We hypothesize that, similar to myometrial cells, the two PRs differentially affect Cx43 expression, trafficking, and gap junction intercellular communication (GJIC) in breast cancer cells. In this project, I have shown that in the luminal A cell line MCF7, PRA promotes Cx43 expression, trafficking (similarly observed in the cell line MFM223), and GJIC whereas PRB inhibits these processes. Conversely, in the basal-like cell line MDA-MB-231, P4 inhibits Cx43 expression, intracellular trafficking, and GJIC through both PRs. These data provide insight as to how PRs differentially regulate the same gene, Cx43, in contrasting in vitro models of breast cancer.