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Continuing Research Supports Genistein's Activity in Possible Reduction of Pancreatic Cancer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 1st, 2006
January 1st, 2006
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Science Letter
Science Letter
A study from the United States has reported that pancreatic cancer genistein activity is mediated via Notch-1 signaling pathway.
"Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth most common cause of cancer related death in the United States. Therefore, novel strategies for the prevention and treatment are urgently needed.
"Genistein is a prominent islavonoid found in soy products and has been proposed to be responsible for lowering the rate of pancreatic cancer in Asians. However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which genistein elicits its effects on pancreatic cancer cells has not been fully elucidated," wrote Z.W. Wang and colleagues, Wayne State University.
"We have previously shown that genistein induces apoptosis and inhibits the activation of nuclear factor KB (NF-kappa B) pathway. Moreover, Notch signaling is known to play a critical role in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thereby may contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer.
"Hence, in our study, we investigated whether there is any cross talk between Notch and NF-kappa B during genistein-induced apoptosis in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells," the investigators explained.
"We used multiple cellular and molecular approaches such as MTT assay, apoptosis assay, gene transfection, Western blotting and EMSA for measuring DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. We found that genistein inhibits cell growth and induces apoptotic processes in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. This was partly due to inhibition of Notch-1 activity.
"BxPC-3 cells transfected with Notch-1 cDNA showed induction of NF-kappa B activity, and this was inhibited by genistein treatment," wrote the researchers.
"From these results, we conclude that the inhibition of Notch-1 and NF-kappa B activity and their cross talk provides a novel mechanism by which genistein inhibits cell growth and induces apoptotic processes in pancreatic cancer cells."
Wang and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Cancer (Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activity by genistein is mediated via Notch-1 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Int J Cancer, 2006;118(8):1930-1936).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting F.H. Sarkar, Wayne State University, Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 9374 Scott Hall, 540 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
The publisher of the International Journal of Cancer can be contacted at: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.
Keywords: Detroit, Michigan, United States, Apoptosis, Flavonoids, Genistein, NF Kappa B, Notch Signaling Pathway, Nuclear Factors, Pancreatic Cancer.
This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Science Letter via NewsRx.com. Copyright © 2006 Science Letter via NewsRx.com
"Pancreatic cancer remains the fourth most common cause of cancer related death in the United States. Therefore, novel strategies for the prevention and treatment are urgently needed.
"Genistein is a prominent islavonoid found in soy products and has been proposed to be responsible for lowering the rate of pancreatic cancer in Asians. However, the molecular mechanism(s) by which genistein elicits its effects on pancreatic cancer cells has not been fully elucidated," wrote Z.W. Wang and colleagues, Wayne State University.
"We have previously shown that genistein induces apoptosis and inhibits the activation of nuclear factor KB (NF-kappa B) pathway. Moreover, Notch signaling is known to play a critical role in maintaining the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis, and thereby may contribute to the development of pancreatic cancer.
"Hence, in our study, we investigated whether there is any cross talk between Notch and NF-kappa B during genistein-induced apoptosis in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells," the investigators explained.
"We used multiple cellular and molecular approaches such as MTT assay, apoptosis assay, gene transfection, Western blotting and EMSA for measuring DNA binding activity of NF-kappa B. We found that genistein inhibits cell growth and induces apoptotic processes in BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. This was partly due to inhibition of Notch-1 activity.
"BxPC-3 cells transfected with Notch-1 cDNA showed induction of NF-kappa B activity, and this was inhibited by genistein treatment," wrote the researchers.
"From these results, we conclude that the inhibition of Notch-1 and NF-kappa B activity and their cross talk provides a novel mechanism by which genistein inhibits cell growth and induces apoptotic processes in pancreatic cancer cells."
Wang and colleagues published their study in International Journal of Cancer (Inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activity by genistein is mediated via Notch-1 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer cells. Int J Cancer, 2006;118(8):1930-1936).
Additional information can be obtained by contacting F.H. Sarkar, Wayne State University, Karmanos Cancer Institute, School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 9374 Scott Hall, 540 E Canfield, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
The publisher of the International Journal of Cancer can be contacted at: Wiley-Liss, Division John Wiley & Sons Inc., 111 River St., Hoboken, NJ 07030, USA.
Keywords: Detroit, Michigan, United States, Apoptosis, Flavonoids, Genistein, NF Kappa B, Notch Signaling Pathway, Nuclear Factors, Pancreatic Cancer.
This article was prepared by Science Letter editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Science Letter via NewsRx.com. Copyright © 2006 Science Letter via NewsRx.com
