The isoxazole derivative of usnic acid induces ER stress response in breast cancer cells that leads to paraptosis-like cell death

This work investigated the molecular mechanisms unterlying the previously reported anticancer activity of the usnic acid isoxazole derivative, named 2b. Using RNA-seq technology transcriptoms of MCF-7 breast cancer cells treated with vehicle or 2b for two diffrent time periods were compared. Among differentially expressed genes, components of the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway were the most significantly upregulated by 2b. Overall design: MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with DMSO or 2b at concentration 3 µg/ml for 6 or 24 h and RNA was isolated