ATP rapidly and reversibly induces Calcium Influx in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

In this experiment by Nina Raad, the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line was used because it is a commonly used breast cancer cell line that has been propagated for many years by multiple groups. It proves to be a suitable model cell line for breast cancer investigations worldwide, including those regarding anticancer drugs. Cells were loaded in the 8 well ship and treated with different concentrations of ATP - (20,30,40,50,70,100 micromolar) . It took from 3 seconds to 120 seconds to obtain the signal, depending on the concentration. The effect was reversible in MCF-7 with lower concentrations of ATP, however, with higher concentrations it was irreversible in some cases due to the toxic effect of ATP on cells; in lower concentrations it takes more time to reach the toxic level.