Fig. 2: Complex reduces proliferation of MCF7 cell line and enhances expression of p53 target genes in p53-dependent manner.

a Complex negatively affects viability of MCF7 p53wt and MCF7 p53^–/– tumor cells. MCF7 p53wt (dark gray), MCF7 p53^−/− (light gray) cells were treated with Complex (50 μM), Ligand (50 μM and 100 μM), DMSO (1%, vehicle control), and doxorubicin (4 μM) for 24 h. Cell viability was evaluated by colorimetric MTS assay. Ligand demonstrated no cytotoxicity for either of the cell lines at both concentrations, whereas Complex substantially reduced viability that was comparable to doxorubicin at indicated concentration. Data are expressed as mean ± S.D., n = 3; ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.001. b, c Complex blocks proliferation of MCF7 p53wt but not MCF7 p53^−/− tumor cells. b MCF7 p53wt and c MCF7 p53^−/− cells were seeded at 5 × 10³ per well in E-Plates 16 and treated with Complex (50 μM), Ligand (50 μM and 100 μM), DMSO (1%, vehicle control), and doxorubicin (4 μM) for 72 h. Treatments were performed in triplicates within each plate. Cell index parameter was recorded every 15 min. d–f Complex promotes expression of p53 target genes in MCF7 p53wt but not in MCF7 p53^−/− cells. Relative normalized expression levels of MDM2, p21/CDKN1A, and PUMA genes in MCF7 p53wt and MCF7 p53^−/− cells after 24 h treatment with Complex (50 μM), Ligand (50 μM), and DMSO (1%, vehicle control). Data are expressed as mean ± S.D., n = 3; ^*p < 0.05, ^**p < 0.001