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Sulforaphane inhibits angiogenesis through activation of FOXO transcription factors

Rachel Davis1, Karan P Singh, Razelle Kurzrock

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Center for Biomedical Research, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX 75708-3154, USA.

Oncology Reports
|November 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Sulforaphane, a compound in cruciferous vegetables, inhibits tumor growth by blocking blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). This study reveals sulforaphane activates the FOXO transcription factor to achieve these anti-angiogenic effects.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Sulforaphane (SNF) from cruciferous vegetables shows potential for inhibiting tumor growth.
  • The precise molecular mechanisms of sulforaphane's anti-angiogenic effects remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how sulforaphane inhibits angiogenesis via the FOXO transcription factor in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

Main Methods:

  • Examined sulforaphane's effects on MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways in HUVECs.
  • Assessed the impact on cell migration, capillary tube formation, and FOXO3a nuclear translocation.
  • Utilized phosphorylation-deficient FOXO mutants to evaluate their role.

Main Results:

  • Inhibiting MEK/ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways synergistically enhanced sulforaphane's anti-angiogenic activity.
  • These pathway inhibitions promoted FOXO3a nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity.
  • Phosphorylation-deficient FOXO mutants amplified sulforaphane's anti-angiogenic effects.

Conclusions:

  • Sulforaphane activates the FOXO transcription factor, inhibiting angiogenesis and potentially controlling tumor growth.
  • These findings highlight sulforaphane's potential in cancer chemoprevention and therapy.

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