IGFBP-3 sensitizes antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells through interaction with GRP78

IGFBP-3 is known to possess intrinsic biological activities such as anti-tumor property in addition to its IGF/IGF-R axis-dependent actions in a variety of human cancers including breast cancer. To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the intrinsic biological actions of IGFBP-3 on breast cancer cells, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening and found GRP78, known to cause drug-resistance, as a binding partner of IGFBP-3. Overexpression of IGFBP-3 in antiestrogen-resistant LCC9 cells showed that IGFBP-3 interacted with GRP78, resulting in disruption of the GRP78-caspase-7 complex, thereby activating caspase-7, and further inducing apoptosis. Combination of overexpression of IGFBP-3 and application of siRNAs against GRP78 led to decrease in cell viability upon ICI 182,780 treatment. These data suggest that IGFBP-3 could sensitize antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells to ICI 182,780 by preventing the anti-apoptotic function of GRP78.

► GRP78 is identified as a binding partner of IGFBP-3 by yeast two-hybrid screening in breast cancer cells.
► IGFBP-3 binding to GRP78 results in disruption of GRP78-caspase-7 complex, thereby inducing caspase-7-dependent apoptosis.
► IGFBP-3 sensitizes antiestrogen-resistant breast cancer cells to ICI 182,780 by preventing the anti-apoptotic function of GRP78.
► IGFBP-3 shows a therapeutic potential for treatment of acquired drug-resistant breast cancer.