Dietary Phenethyl Isothiocyanate Alters Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells

Figure 2

Significantly altered genes by PEITC from the current study are presented in yellow boxes, and the effects of PEITC that have already been reported in previous studies are presented in blue boxes. All genes (ATF-2, p53, Hsp27, p57, BRCA2, IL-2) were upregulated. ATF-2, p53, Hsp27 are transcription factors which are all located downstream of MAPK signaling pathway (http://david.abcc.ncifcrf.gov/). Induction of ATF-2, p53 and Hsp27 in response to various stresses correlates with increased resistance to subsequent cellular damage [27]. Transcriptional activation of the p53 target genes plays a critical role in the cellular response to DNA damage, cellular stress and other signals regulating the cell cycle and apoptosis [28, 29]. IL-2 induces G2 cell cycle arrest via Akt pathway [30]. BRCA2 is essential for the maintenance of genetic stability through a function in DNA repair [31].