별불가사리 단백추출물을 조제하여 유방암 유발억제효과를 측정한 결과, 별불가사리 단백추출물은 estrogen-의존성의 유방암세포(MCF-7)와 estrogen-비의존성 유방암세포(MDA-MB-231)의 증식을 농도의존적으로 억제하는 효과가 있었으며, 유방암발생 발암물질 활성에 관여하는 cytochrome P450 1A1 활성도 저해하였다. 또한 유방암발생의 촉진단계에 주요한 기능을 가진 ODC 활성도 억제하였으므로 별불가사리 단백추출물은 유방암 발생을 저해할 것으로 기대된다.
The effect of protein extract from Asterina pectinifera on proliferation of human breast cancer cells and activities of cytochrome P450 1A1 and ornithine decarboxylase was tested. Protein extract from Asterina pectinifera inhibited the growth of both estrogen-dependent MCF-7 and estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. Cytochrome P450 1A1 activity was significantly inhibited by the protein extract from Asterina pectinifera at concentrations of 80 (p<0.05), 120 (p<0.01) and $160{mu}g/m{ell}$ (p<0.01). The extract inhibited induction of ornithine decarboxylase by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, a key enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, which is enhanced in breast tumor promotion. Therefore, Asterina pectinifera is worth further investigation with respect to breast cancer chemoprevention or therapy.
