Effect of Curcumin on Fatty Acid Synthase Expression and Enzyme Activity in Breast Cancer Cell Line SKBR3

Fatty acid synthase is a multifunctional protein that catalyzes de novo synthesis of long-chain fatty acids. FASN expression is higher in HER2-positive cells, such as SKBR3 and MCF-7/HER2 cells, than in MCF-7 cells, which express lower HER2 levels. Curcumin, a yellow-colored hydrophobic polyphenol derived from the rhizome turmeric, significantly suppressed growth of human breast cancer cells. In this study, we assessed the effect of curcumin on expression and activity of fatty acid synthase in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.
In this study, we decided to determine the effects of Curcumin on Fatty Acid Synthase expression and enzyme activity in breast cancer cell line SKBR3.
We assessed the cytotoxicity effect of curcumin in SK-BR-3 cells by MTT. Apoptosis was performed by flow cytometry. FAS activity was measured by a spectrophotometer at 340 nm of NADPH absorption. Fatty acid synthase gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR.
Curcumin could decrease cell viability and induce apoptosis in SK-BR-3 cells. Curcumin also reduces the enzyme activity and expression of fatty acid synthase.
It is possible that inhibitory effects of curcumin on FAS may induce apoptosis in SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells.