the effect of adenosine a1 receptor agonist and antagonist on p53 and caspase 3, 8, and 9 expression and apoptosis rate in mcf-7 breast cancer cell line

adenosine receptor family especially a1 type is expressed in breast cancer cells in which p53 and caspase genes are wild-type. the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between a1 receptor and either cell apoptosis or proliferation and also to recognize the relationship between this receptor and p53 and the expression of caspases 3, 8 and 9 in mcf-7 cell line. mcf-7 cells were treated intermittently with a1 receptor agonist n6-cyclopentyladenosine (cpa) and a1 receptor antagonist 1,3-dipropyl-8-cyclopentylxanthine (dpcpx) in different times to measure the expression of p53, caspase 3, 8 and 9 besides apoptosis and survival rate. our findings indicated that dpcpx significantly induced apoptosis in mcf-7 cells while the cell viability was reduced specially 72 h after the treatment and the expression of p53 gene and caspase expressions was dramatically up-regulated. on the other hand, cpa increased the cell viability and reduced apoptosis in mcf-7 cells. our results indicated a significant down-regulation in the mcf-7 mrna expression of p53 and caspases 3, 8 and 9. furthermore, dpcpx induced p53 and caspase 3, 8 and 9 expressions that consequently promotes the cell apoptosis in mcf‑7 cells. therefore, dpcpx can be considered as an anti-cancer drug.