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Effect of selenium-enriched broccoli diet on differential gene expression in min mouse liver(1,2)

Huawei Zeng1, Cindy D Davis, John W Finley

  • 1United States Department of Agriculture, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, Grand Forks, North Dakota 58202-9034, USA. hzeng@gfhnrc.ars.usda.gov

Insights

Selenium-enriched broccoli activates cancer-fighting pathways in mouse liver. This study reveals how this dietary intervention impacts gene expression, offering insights into colon cancer prevention.

Area of Science:

  • * Nutritional immunology
  • * Molecular oncology
  • * Cancer prevention

Background:

  • * Multiple intestinal neoplasia (Min) mice serve as a valuable genetic model for studying intestinal cancer.
  • * Selenium-enriched broccoli has demonstrated efficacy in reducing colon cancer susceptibility.
  • * The impact of selenium-enriched broccoli on gene expression in mouse liver, a common site for colon cancer metastasis, remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the effects of selenium-enriched broccoli on gene expression in the liver of Min mice.
  • * To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective role of selenium-enriched broccoli in tumorigenesis.

Main Methods:

  • * Min mice were fed either a control diet or a selenium-enriched broccoli diet for 10 weeks.
  • * Gene expression profiling was performed using mouse pathway finder-1 GEArrays.
  • * Analysis of transcription factor binding to DNA was conducted using labeled probes.

Main Results:

  • * Selenium-enriched broccoli consumption led to a moderate increase in the gene transcripts ikBalphakappaB, hsp86, and gadd45.
  • * Enhanced binding of transcription factors p53, NFkappaB, and AP-1 to their cis-acting elements was observed in the liver.
  • * These findings suggest activation of stress signal pathways and pro-apoptotic genes.

Conclusions:

  • * Selenium-enriched broccoli activates specific pro-apoptotic genes associated with p53, NFkappaB, and stress signaling pathways.
  • * This activation occurs in response to tumorigenesis-related "danger signals".
  • * The study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of selenium-enriched broccoli in cancer prevention.

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