Effect of estrogen and SERMs on the expression of trefoil factor 1 (TFF1 or pS2 Gene)

The trefoil factor 1 (TFF1) is small cysteine-rich secretory protein. Clinical studies have found that approximately 50% of all breast carcinomas express TFF1 but the correlation is poorly understood. The expression of TFF1 gene is regulated by estrogen in human breast cancer, but the role of TFF1 protein in breast cancer is not known.;The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of TFF1 gene when treated with selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) such as Resveratrol, Clomiphine and Tamoxifen. MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was used for this study and was treated with increasing pharmacologically active dose of Estrogen and the SERMs (resveratrol, tamoxifen, and clomiphene) for 48 hours and their effects were determined using RNA and protein analysis.;The expression of TFF1 gene in breast cancer was analyzed by Reverse-Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting.;For Tamoxifen and Clomiphine RT-PCR studies showed decrease in the transcription of TFF1 mRNA and the Western blot analysis showed a corresponding decrease in the expression of protein as well whereas for Resveratrol both RT-PCR and Western blot analysis confirmed the stimulation of expression of TFF1 mRNA and proteins respectively.