Abstract:

Objective   To investigate the effects of diallyl trisulfide (DATS) on proliferation and invasion of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and the role for DATS in regulation of urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system molecules. Methods   Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA expressions of uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR) and uPA inhibitor1 (PAI-1) in breast cancer cell lines. MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with various concentrations of DATS, followed by MTS assay to determine cellular proliferation. Martrigel invasion assays were performed to determine invasive capacity of cancer cells after 20-60μmol/L DATS treatments. Transwell motility assay and healing assay were utilized to detect the effect of 60μmol/L DATS on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Real time -PCR and western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expressions of uPA, uPAR and PAI-1 in tumor cells.  Concentrations of PAI-1 protein were determined by ELISA assay in conditioned medium with DATS treatment. Results   20-80μmol/L DATS significantly inhibited proliferation of highly invasive breast cancer  MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner. 60μmol/L DATS inhibited invasiveness and motility capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells. PAI-1 expression was significantlyincreased by 60 μmol/L DATS at mRNA and protein levels, whereas uPA and uPAR expressions were not. Conclusion   DATS significantly inhibits proliferation and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cell line and up-regulates PAI-1 expression  at mRNA and protein levels. 

Key words: Diallyl Trisulfide；Breast neoplasm；MDA-MB-231；Urokinase plasminogen activator；Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1