Genistein modulates MMP-26 and estrogen receptor expression in endometrial cancer cells

To explore the mechanism of the estrogen-like effect of genistein by observing the expression of Matrix metalloproteinases-26 (MMP-26) and ERα in human endometrial cancer cells (Ishikawa and HEC-1B) in vitro. The effect of genistein on MMP-26 and ERα expression was examined by western blot in cultured Ishikawa and HEC-1B cells. Additionally, the effects of genistein on ERα-ERE-luc and ERβ-ERE-luc reporter gene expression in HEC-1B cells were analyzed by luciferase activity assays. MMP-26 and ERα protein expression was down-regulated by genistein treatment in Ishikawa cell induced by high concentration E2, whereas MMP-26 and ERα protein expression was up-regulated by genistein treatment in Ishikawa cells induced by low concentration E2. Expression of the ERα-ERE-luc and ERβ-ERE-luc reporter genes was significantly increased after E2 induction and was further up-regulated by genistein. Expression of ERα-ERE-luc and ERβ-ERE-luc reporter genes decreased significantly following genistein treatment in high E2 concentrations, and increased significantly following genistein treatment in low E2 concentrations. Genistein showed estrogen-like effects in endometrial cancer cells and influenced estrogen receptor signaling by modulating ERα and ERβ expression.