Different effects of adenylyl cyclase activators and phosphodiesterases inhibitors on cervical cancer (HeLa) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells proliferation

Breast and cervical cancers are the most common cancers in Iran and worldwide. Hormonal stimulation of cyclic adenosine mono phosphate (cAMP) and the cAMP-dependent protein kinase PKA regulates cell growth by different mechanism. cAMP can stimulate cell growth in many cell types while inhibiting cell growth in others. In some cell lines have been shown that the proliferation of tumor cells is reduced by increasing cAMP in cells. In this study, we evaluate growth arrest of selective PDE3 and non-selective PDE inhibitors, which lead to increase level of cAMP in cervical (HeLa) and breast cancer (MCF7) cell lines have been studied. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of selective, non-selective PDE inhibitors, beta adrenergic receptor agonist and direct stimulator of adenylyl cyclase. Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using PI staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). Result showed that selective PDE inhibitors decreased cell viability in HeLa and MCF-7 cells as a time-dependent manner. Non-selective inhibitor and beta-adrenergic receptor agonist also decrease cell viability but they are less powerful than selective PDE3 inhibitors. Forskolin had no effect in viability of cells. Analysis of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry showed apoptosis involved in selective PDE3 inhibitors induced toxicity in HeLa cell. Thus, the growth inhibitory effects of selective PDE3 inhibitors are more effective than non-selective inhibitor. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanism of action is on the field.