Metabolic Alteration of MCF-7 Cells upon Indirect Exposure to <i>E. coli</i> Secretome: A Model of Studying the Microbiota Effect on Human Breast Tissue
Reem H. AlMalki,
Malak A. Jaber,
Mysoon M. Al-Ansari,
Khalid M. Sumaily,
Monther Al-Alwan,
Essa M. Sabi,
Abeer K. Malkawi,
Anas M. Abdel Rahman
Affiliations
Reem H. AlMalki
Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Malak A. Jaber
Pharmaceutical Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of Petra, Amman 11196, Jordan
Mysoon M. Al-Ansari
Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
Khalid M. Sumaily
Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
Monther Al-Alwan
Cell Therapy and Immunobiology Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
Essa M. Sabi
Clinical Biochemistry Unit, Pathology Department, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh 11461, Saudi Arabia
Abeer K. Malkawi
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Université Du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
Anas M. Abdel Rahman
Metabolomics Section, Department of Clinical Genomics, Center for Genomics Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
According to studies, the microbiome may contribute to the emergence and spread of breast cancer. E. coli is one of the Enterobacteriaceae family recently found to be present as part of the breast tissue microbiota. In this study, we focused on the effect of E. coli secretome free of cells on MCF-7 metabolism. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to study the E. coli secretome and its role in MCF-7 intra- and extracellular metabolites. A comparison was made between secretome-exposed cells and unexposed controls. Our analysis revealed significant alterations in 31 intracellular and 55 extracellular metabolites following secretome exposure. Several metabolic pathways, including lactate, aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, purine metabolism, and energy metabolism, were found to be dysregulated upon E. coli secretome exposure. E. coli can alter the breast cancer cells’ metabolism through its secretome which disrupts key metabolic pathways of MCF-7 cells. These microbial metabolites from the secretome hold promise as biomarkers of drug resistance or innovative approaches for cancer treatment, either as standalone therapies or in combination with other medicines.
