Halotolerant Bacillus licheniformis Extract Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via Modulation of BAX/BCL-2 Expression

Khoshandam, Mahdiyeh; Memarian, Mehrdad; Kalhor, Naser; Khoshandam, Mohadeseh; Soltaninejad, Hossein; Taghi Hedayati Goudarzi, Mohammad

year 19, Issue 6 (November - December 2025) Iran J Med Microbiol 2025, 19(6): 5-5 | Back to browse issues page

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Khoshandam M, Memarian M, Kalhor N, Khoshandam M, Soltaninejad H, Taghi Hedayati Goudarzi M. Halotolerant Bacillus licheniformis Extract Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via Modulation of BAX/BCL-2 Expression. Iran J Med Microbiol 2025; 19 (6) :5-5
URL: http://ijmm.ir/article-1-2778-en.html

Halotolerant Bacillus licheniformis Extract Induces Apoptosis in MCF-7 Cells via Modulation of BAX/BCL-2 Expression

Mahdiyeh Khoshandam¹

, Mehrdad Memarian²

, Naser Kalhor³

, Mohadeseh Khoshandam⁴

, Hossein Soltaninejad⁵

, Mohammad Taghi Hedayati Goudarzi⁶

1- Department of Genetics, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
2- Department of Microbiology, Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
3- Department of Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research, Qom Branch, Qom, Iran
4- National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
5- Department of Stem Cells Technology and Tissue Regeneration, Faculty of Interdisciplinary Science and Technologies, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran , hosoltaninejad@gmail.com
6- Department of Cardiology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran

Abstract: (366 Views)

Background and Aim: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide. The resistance of advanced tumors to conventional treatments highlights the need for alternative therapies. Apoptosis, regulated by key proteins like BAX (pro-apoptotic) and BCL-2 (anti-apoptotic), plays a crucial role in controlling cancer cell proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a halotolerant Bacillus (B.) licheniformis extract, isolated from Hoz-e Sultan Lake in Qom Province, on the expression of BAX and BCL-2 genes in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.
Materials and Methods: MCF-7 cells were treated with various concentrations of the bacterial extract and cell viability was assessed using MTT assay. Staurosporine was used as positive control. RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis, and Real-Time PCR were performed to evaluate target genes expression levels. Statistical analysis was conducted using an independent t-test and P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
Results: The extract significantly increased BAX expression (P<0.05) at 24, 48, and 72 hr, while BCL-2 expression initially decreased but showed a slight increase at 48 hr. The IC₅₀ values decreased over time, indicating time-dependent cytotoxicity.
Conclusion: The halotolerant B. licheniformis extract induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells through BAX/BCL-2 pathway modulation, suggesting its potential as an alternative therapeutic source. Further studies are needed to identify active compounds and validate efficacy in vivo.