Interactions between genistein and Wnt pathway in colon adenocarcinoma and early embryos

Yagmur Azbazdar1, Eric A Sosa2, Julia Monka1

  • 1Department of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, 90095-1662, USA.

Heliyon
|July 1, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Genistein inhibits Wnt signaling and cell growth in colon cancer models by affecting macropinocytosis and gene regulation. This study reveals new therapeutic mechanisms for genistein in cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The Wnt signaling pathway is crucial for development and cancer.
  • Genistein shows potential in cancer treatment by modulating signaling pathways.
  • The exact mechanisms of genistein's Wnt pathway modulation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate genistein's therapeutic mechanisms via Wnt signaling inhibition.
  • To investigate genistein's effects on cell growth, proliferation, and lysosomal activity.
  • To explore genistein's influence on Wnt-governed gene regulatory networks.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated genistein's inhibitory effects on Wnt signaling through macropinocytosis.
  • Assessed genistein's impact on cell growth, proliferation, and lysosomal activity in SW480 colon adenocarcinoma cells.
  • Analyzed genistein's effects on embryonic gene regulatory networks influenced by Wnt pathways.

Main Results:

  • Genistein inhibits Wnt signaling via macropinocytosis.
  • Genistein reduces cell growth, proliferation, and lysosomal activity in SW480 cells.
  • Genistein modulates Wnt-dependent gene regulatory networks in embryonic contexts.

Conclusions:

  • Genistein exerts therapeutic effects by inhibiting Wnt signaling through macropinocytosis.
  • Genistein possesses anti-proliferative and anti-cancer properties.
  • Findings highlight the interplay between genistein, Wnt signaling, membrane trafficking, and gene regulation for cancer therapy.

Related Concept Videos

Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway02:54

Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathway

The gene encoding the main signaling molecules of the Wnt signaling pathways (the Wnt proteins) was discovered almost four decades ago by Nüsslein-Volhard and Wieschaus. They identified and originally named the gene "wingless" (wg) after a phenotype discovered during their landmark genetic screen in Drosophila for body pattern defects. At around the same time, another researcher named Harold Varmus found that a murine tumor virus activates the mammalian wg homolog, Int-1, which...
8.7K
Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways01:41

Non-Canonical Wnt Signaling Pathways

Wnt is a zygotic effect gene that is expressed during very early embryonic development. It regulates various processes in animals starting from early development through the adult stage, such as organogenesis in the embryo and maintenance of neuronal and blood stem cells. Wnt proteins can induce a wide variety of intracellular pathways depending upon the specific abilities of different Wnt ligands to form a complex with shared and cognate receptors in the presence of different co-receptors. The...
7.3K
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.1K
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
2.2K
Tumor Progression02:07

Tumor Progression

Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
6.3K