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Carotenoids and gene regulation.

J S Bertram1

  • 1Cancer Research Center of Hawaii, University of Hawaii, Honolulu 96813, USA.

Nutrition Reviews
|August 10, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Dietary carotenoids, found in colorful produce, may prevent cancer by upregulating connexin 43 and enhancing cell communication (GJC). However, beta-carotene supplements showed mixed results in smokers.

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Carcinogenesis·2000

Area of Science:

  • Nutritional Biochemistry
  • Cancer Chemoprevention
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Dietary carotenoids are plant pigments associated with reduced cancer risk.
  • Intervention trials with beta-carotene have yielded conflicting results, even increasing risk in smokers.
  • Carotenoids demonstrate cancer preventive activity in experimental systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review evidence on the unexpected biological effects of carotenoids.
  • To explore how carotenoids may contribute to cancer prevention.
  • To investigate the role of connexin 43 and gap junctional communication (GJC) in carotenoid action.

Main Methods:

  • Review of laboratory studies involving experimental animals and cell cultures.
  • Analysis of research on gene expression, specifically connexin 43.
  • Examination of studies investigating intercellular gap junctional communication (GJC).

Main Results:

  • Chemopreventive carotenoids upregulate connexin 43 expression in experimental systems.
  • Increased connexin 43 facilitates direct intercellular gap junctional communication (GJC).
  • Deficient GJC is observed in many human tumors; its restoration correlates with decreased proliferation.

Conclusions:

  • Carotenoids exhibit biological effects beyond simple antioxidant activity.
  • Upregulation of connexin 43 and restoration of GJC represent a potential mechanism for carotenoid-mediated cancer prevention.
  • Further research is warranted to understand these mechanisms in human carcinogenesis.

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