Molecular docking studies of angiogenesis target protein HIF-1α and genistein in breast cancer

Therapeutic inhibition of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) action has emerged as a potential approach for managing several diseases including breast cancer (BC). Genistein has been found to exert anti-malignant activity. However, its mechanisms of action remain unknown. Studies indicate that it could act by downregulating HIF-1α. Based on these findings, we investigated whether genistein could reduce HIF-1α in BC cell lines. Furthermore, we performed molecular docking studies to characterize the sites of interaction between genistein and HIF-1α. In the present investigation, we prove, for the first time, that genistein downregulates HIF-1α in BC cells. Molecular docking analysis also revealed that genistein binds to the FIH-1 binding site of HIF-1α protein. These findings thus indicate that genistein and/or HIF-1α antagonists could be a potential treatment for BC.