文摘
FXYD3, also known as mammary tumor protein 8, is overexpressed in several common cancers, including in many breast cancers. We examined if such overexpression might protect Na+/K+-ATPase and cancer cells against the high levels of oxidative stress characteristic of many tumors and often induced by cancer treatments. We measured FXYD3 expression, Na+/K+-ATPase activity and glutathionylation of the β1 subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase, a reversible oxidative modification that inhibits the ATPase, in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 cells. Expression of FXYD3 was suppressed by transfection with FXYD3 siRNA. A colorimetric end-point assay was used to estimate cell viability. Apoptosis was estimated by caspase 3/7 (DEVDase) activation using a Caspase fluorogenic substrate kit. Expression of FXYD3 in MCF-7 breast cancer cells was ~eightfold and ~twofold higher than in non-cancer MCF-10A cells and MDA-MB-468 cancer cells, respectively. A ~50 % reduction in FXYD3 expression increased glutathionylation of the β1 Na+/K+-ATPase subunit and reduced Na+/K+-ATPase activity by ~50 %, consistent with the role of FXYD3 to facilitate reversal of glutathionylation of the β1 subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase and glutathionylation-induced inhibition of Na+/K+-ATPase. Treatment of MCF-7 and MDA-MB- 468 cells with doxorubicin or γ-radiation decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis. The treatments upregulated FXYD3 expression in MCF-7 but not in MDA-MB-468 cells and suppression of FXYD3 in MCF-7 but not in MDA-MB-468 cells amplified effects of treatments on Na+/K+-ATPase activity and treatment-induced cell death and apoptosis. Overexpression of FXYD3 may be a marker of resistance to cancer treatments and a potentially important therapeutic target. Keywords Sodium–potassium (Na+/K+) ATPase Glutathionylation FXYD3 protein Doxorubicin Gamma irradiation Breast cancer