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Cholesterol-Lowering Phytochemicals: Targeting the Mevalonate Pathway for Anticancer Interventions

Kagiso Laka1, Lilian Makgoo1, Zukile Mbita1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Limpopo, Sovenga, South Africa.

Frontiers in Genetics
|April 8, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Cholesterol fuels cancer development, but phytochemicals offer a natural defense. This review explores how these compounds, alongside the tumor suppressor protein p53, target cholesterol pathways to combat cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Cholesterol, a sterol linked to cardiovascular disease, is increasingly recognized for its significant role in carcinogenesis.
  • Existing cholesterol-lowering strategies necessitate improvement, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic approaches.
  • The intricate relationship between cholesterol metabolism and cancer development is a growing area of research interest.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of cholesterol in cancer induction.
  • To explore the potential of phytochemicals in managing cancer-associated cholesterol.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which phytochemicals and the tumor suppressor protein p53 interact within the mevalonate pathway for anticancer effects.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the interplay between cholesterol, phytochemicals, and the p53 pathway in cancer.
  • Analysis of the mevalonate pathway's regulation by p53 and its modulation by bioactive compounds.
  • Examination of phytochemicals targeting mevalonate pathway enzymes and their impact on p53-dependent anticancer activities.

Main Results:

  • Cholesterol plays a multifaceted role in promoting cancer development.
  • Phytochemicals demonstrate potential as agents to reduce cancer-promoting cholesterol levels.
  • Tumor Protein 53 (p53) is a key regulator of cholesterol biogenesis and a target for phytochemicals, influencing p53-dependent anticancer activities.

Conclusions:

  • Phytochemicals offer a promising avenue for developing anticancer drugs by targeting the mevalonate pathway.
  • The p53 protein's regulation of cholesterol metabolism presents a critical target for therapeutic intervention in cancer.
  • Exploiting the synergistic effects of phytochemicals and p53 modulation holds significant potential for novel cancer treatment strategies.
Keywords:
cancercholesterolmevalonate pathwayp53phytochemicals

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