Genistein inhibits the proliferation of human choriocarcinoma cells via the downregulation of estrogen receptor-α phosphorylation at serine 118

Summary: Background & aims: Choriocarcinoma is a malignant trophoblastic tumor. The phosphorylation of estrogen receptor-α at serine 118 (p-ER-s118) decreases cancer cell proliferation. However, the effect of genistein as a modulator of p-ER-s118 and proliferation of chorioarcinoma cells remains to be understood. This study aims at determining the function of genistein on p-ER-s118 levels and human choriocarcinoma JEG-3 cell proliferation. Methods: After reaching confluency, cells were divided into six groups, the control group (without methyl-piperidino-pyrazole (MPP) pre-treatment and genistein treatment); and groups with cells treated with genistein at concentrations of 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 μM (cells were pretreated with MPP). Expression of p-ER-s118 and Ki-67 were analyzed using immunocytochemistry. Results: Different doses of genistein decreased p-ER-s118 levels compared to those in the control (p