Study of Cell Viability and JNK / SAPK Level Following Abiotic Stresses (Heat & Radiation) in Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers of women in the world. Apoptotic pathway is one of the most important pathways to deal with cell damage, especially cancer, which is usually blocked in this disease. One of the main enzymes to set up this pathway is JNK (1,2,3α,3β), which is activated by cellular stress.
In this study, breast cancer cells with the origin of MCF-7 cell lines were cultured in RPMI medium using 10%fetal bovine serum.Then , they were subjected to heat (42 & 45 C) for 1,2,4,6 and 8 hours under X-ray and γ-ray radiations for 1,2,3 and 4 hours as well. Their viability and enzyme level were evaluated by MTT and ELISA tests, respectively.
The obtained results showed that abiotic stresses including heat and radiations resulted in JNK level increase and recovery of apoptosis pathway function in breast cancer cells. In addition, they led to decreased of cell viability and increase of JNK level depending on the duration and kind of stress.
The results in this study showed abiotic stress directly affected the JNK level. Increase of this enzyme in the cell resulted in activity of JNK apoptosis pathway. We hope to find methods to help to cancer treatment by means of more studies on JNK enzyme and relevant pathways.