Biomacromolecular Journal

Biomacromolecular Journal

Targeting Epigenetic Silencing: Nanocurcumin Upregulates ESR1 and Suppresses KRAS and CyclinD1 in TNBC Cells

Document Type : Article

Authors
1 Department of Molecular Genetics, School of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of stem cells technology and Tissue Regeneration, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Technologies, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/bmmj.2026.731126
Abstract
Hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer accounts for approximately 70% of all breast cancers, with tamoxifen being a key therapeutic option for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) cases. However, triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), lacking ER expression, remain unresponsive to this treatment. Nanocurcumin, a bioactive compound with epigenetic-modulating properties, has shown potential in reactivating ESR1 expression by inhibiting DNA methyltransferases. This study investigates the effect of nanocurcumin on ESR1, CyclinD1, and KRAS gene expression in MDA-MB231 cells, a tamoxifen-resistant TNBC cell line. The IC50 of nanocurcumin was determined through MTT assay. Gene expression levels were analyzed using qRT-PCR, and apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were assessed via flow cytometry and Annexin V assays. Our results show a significant increase in ESR1 expression and a concurrent decrease in CyclinD1 and KRAS expression in nanocurcumin-treated cells compared to controls. Apoptosis rates were higher, and cell cycle analysis revealed G1 phase arrest. These findings suggest that nanocurcumin may reverse epigenetic silencing of ESR1, enhance tamoxifen sensitivity, and suppress downstream oncogenic pathways by inhibiting KRAS and CyclinD1.
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