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Carotenoids and transcription.
Yoav Sharoni1, Michael Danilenko, Noga Dubi
1Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Soroka Medical Center of Kupat Holim, Beer-Sheva, Israel. yoav@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics
|August 25, 2004
Summary
Carotenoids, potent antioxidants, exhibit anticancer properties by influencing cell growth and protein expression. This review highlights their role in modulating key transcription systems, offering a molecular basis for their therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional biochemistry
- Molecular oncology
- Cellular signaling
Background:
- Carotenoids are natural compounds with documented anticancer activities.
- Their mechanisms involve modulating cell proliferation, growth factor signaling, and intercellular communication.
- Changes in protein expression suggest a role in regulating gene transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the involvement of various transcription systems in the anticancer effects of carotenoids.
- To explore how carotenoids modulate cellular processes through transcription factors.
- To provide a molecular framework for understanding carotenoid-mediated anticancer activity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies investigating carotenoid effects on cellular mechanisms.
- Analysis of evidence for the involvement of specific transcription systems.
- Synthesis of findings on protein expression modulation by carotenoids.
Main Results:
- Carotenoids influence cell proliferation, growth factor signaling, and gap junctional communication.
- Evidence supports the role of retinoid receptors, AP-1, PPAR, xenobiotic receptors, and ARE in carotenoid anticancer activity.
- Carotenoids modulate the expression of multiple proteins involved in these cellular processes.
Conclusions:
- Carotenoids exert anticancer effects by modulating a network of transcription systems.
- This modulation of transcription provides a molecular basis for their biological activity.
- Combinations of carotenoids with other compounds may enhance synergistic anticancer effects.