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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Purification of H3 and H4 Histone Proteins and the Quantification of Acetylated Histone Marks in Cells and Brain Tissue
Published on: November 30, 2018
In vivo treatment by diallyl disulfide increases histone acetylation in rat colonocytes
Nathalie Druesne-Pecollo1, Catherine Chaumontet, Anthony Pagniez
1Laboratoire de Nutrition et Sécurité Alimentaire, INRA, Domaine de Vilvert, 78352 Jouy-en-Josas cedex, France. Nathalie.Pecollo@jouy.inra.fr
Abstract:
Diallyl disulfide (DADS) is an organosulfur compound from garlic which exhibits various anticarcinogenic properties including inhibition of tumor cell proliferation. DADS antiproliferative effects were previously associated with an increase in histone acetylation in two human tumor colon cell lines, suggesting that DADS-induced histone hyperacetylation could be one of the mechanisms involved in its protective properties on colon carcinogenesis. The effects of DADS on histone H4 and H3 acetylation levels were investigated in vivo in colonocytes isolated from non-tumoral rat. Administrated by intracaecal perfusion or gavage, DADS increases histone H4 and H3 acetylation in colonocytes. Moreover, data generated using cDNA expression arrays suggest that DADS could modulate the expression of a subset of genes. These results suggest the involvement of histone acetylation in modulation of gene expression by DADS in normal rat colonocytes, which might play a role in its biological effects as well as in its anticarcinogenic properties in vivo.
Insights
Diallyl disulfide (DADS) from garlic increases histone acetylation in rat colon cells. This suggests DADS may protect against colon cancer by altering gene expression through epigenetic modifications.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epigenetics
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Diallyl disulfide (DADS), a garlic organosulfur compound, shows anticarcinogenic potential by inhibiting tumor cell proliferation.
- Previous studies linked DADS's antiproliferative effects to increased histone acetylation in human colon cancer cell lines.
- This suggests histone hyperacetylation is a key mechanism in DADS's protective role against colon carcinogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo effects of DADS on histone H3 and H4 acetylation levels in normal rat colonocytes.
- To explore the potential of DADS to modulate gene expression in colonocytes via epigenetic mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- In vivo administration of DADS to rats via intracaecal perfusion or gavage.
- Isolation of colonocytes from non-tumoral rat tissue.
- Analysis of histone H3 and H4 acetylation levels.
- Utilizing cDNA expression arrays to assess gene expression modulation.
Main Results:
- DADS administration significantly increased histone H4 and H3 acetylation levels in isolated rat colonocytes.
- Gene expression analysis indicated that DADS modulates the expression of specific genes within colonocytes.
- These findings demonstrate an epigenetic influence of DADS on gene expression in normal colon cells.
Conclusions:
- DADS induces histone acetylation in normal rat colonocytes in vivo.
- Histone acetylation modulation by DADS may play a role in its observed biological effects.
- These epigenetic changes in gene expression could contribute to DADS's anticarcinogenic properties in the colon.
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