Mullerian Inhibiting Substance induces NFkB signaling in breast and prostate cancer cells.

The MIS type II receptor is expressed at high levels in the Mullerian duct and in Sertoli cells and granulosa cells of the embryonic and adult gonads. The presence of MIS type II and type I receptors in tissues and cell lines derived from breast and prostate suggests that the prostate and mammary glands may be additional targets for MIS action. In both breast and prostate cancer cells, MIS activated NFkB DNA binding activity and induced IEX-1, an immediate early gene which regulates cell growth and apoptosis. Exposure of cells to MIS inhibited growth by increasing the fraction of cells in the G1 phase of the cell cycle and by inducing apoptosis. These results suggest that MIS may be a putative mediator of growth regulatory signals in the breast and prostate.