Differential effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate on cell cycle and apoptosis of MCF-7 cells and a vitamin D3-resistant variant.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3), the active form of vitamin D3, and tetradecanoylphorbol acetate (TPA) are potent negative growth regulators of breast cancer cells. In this study, we compared the mechanism of action of these two compounds in MCF-7 cells and a vitamin D3-resistant variant (MCF-7D3Res). In parental MCF-7 cells, 1,25-(OH)2D3 induced morphological and biochemical markers of apoptosis (chromatin and nuclear matrix condensation and DNA fragmentation), whereas TPA induced growth arrest without apoptosis. Both 1,25-(OH)2D3 and TPA independently up-regulated the vitamin D receptor, p21, and the hypophosphorylated form of retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. The growth regulatory effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and TPA did not correlate with induction of p53 protein expression. When both compounds were added simultaneously, synergistic effects on MCF-7 cell number were observed, and cell cycle regulatory proteins were down-regulated. The MCF-7D3Res cells, which are not sensitive to 1,25-(OH)2D3, were growth inhibited by TPA, and TPA partially sensitized MCF-7D3Res cells to the growth inhibitory effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3. In MCF-7D3Res cells, 1,25-(OH)2D3 treatment had minimal effects on p21 or Rb protein expression, whereas TPA down-regulated Rb protein and transiently up-regulated p21. These studies indicate dissociation between the pathways triggered by 1,25-(OH)2D3 and TPA, which mediate growth regulation in MCF-7 cells. Because both compounds induce growth arrest, but only 1,25-(OH)2D3 mediates apoptosis, we conclude that cell cycle arrest is not sufficient to trigger cell death of MCF-7 cells, and that 1,25-(OH)2D3 generates distinct signals which lead to induction of apoptosis in breast cancer cells.