Vitamin C in Stem Cell Reprogramming and Cancer

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Epigenetics
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Vitamin C is an essential human nutrient with antioxidant properties.
• It functions as a cofactor for Fe2+- and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases (Fe2+/α-KGDDs).
• These enzymes include collagen prolyl hydroxylases and epigenetic regulators.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of vitamin C beyond its antioxidant function.
• To investigate vitamin C's influence on epigenetic regulation and cellular processes.
• To assess vitamin C's potential as an epigenetic anticancer agent.

Main Methods:

• Investigated vitamin C's cofactor activity for Fe2+/α-KGDDs.
• Examined vitamin C's effects on embryonic stem cell (ESC) function.
• Studied vitamin C's role in reprogramming fibroblasts to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
• Assessed vitamin C's impact on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal.

Main Results:

• Vitamin C enhances the activity of Jumonji C (JmjC) domain-containing histone demethylases.
• Vitamin C boosts the activity of ten-eleven translocation (TET) DNA hydroxylases.
• Vitamin C modulates ESC function, iPSC reprogramming, and HSC self-renewal.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin C's role extends to epigenetic regulation through dioxygenase activity.
• Its ability to influence histone and DNA methylation suggests a role in controlling gene expression.
• Vitamin C may serve as a novel epigenetic anticancer agent due to its impact on epigenetic dysregulation in malignancy.