title: Beta-carotene induces morphological differentiation and decreases adenylate cyclase activity in melanoma cells in culture.
abstract: Several studies suggest that beta-carotene reduces the risk of some cancers. Except for its function as an antioxidant, the effect of this vitamin on mammalian cells remains poorly defined. This study was performed to show whether beta-carotene treatment of murine B-16 melanoma cells in culture induces differentiation and alters the adenylate cyclase (AC) system. The AC system mediates the action of agents which regulate cell differentiation and transformation. Results showed that beta-carotene treatment for a period of 24 hours or more caused morphological differentiation without changing the level of melanin, and reduced basal and melanocyte-stimulated hormone (MSH)-, sodium fluoride (NaF)-, and forskolin-stimulated AC activity in vitro. Retinol, a metabolite of beta-carotene, inhibited growth without morphological differentiation and reduced basal and MSH- and NaF-stimulated AC activity. However, butylated hydroxyanisole, a lipid-soluble antioxidant, also reduced growth without morphological differentiation, but it failed to alter basal or MSH-stimulated AC activity. The present and previous studies show that the AC system represents a common site where some antitumor-promoting vitamins (beta-carotene, retinol, retinoic acid, and alpha-tocopheryl succinate) act.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiation Oncology, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Denver 80262.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Hazuka
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Edwards-Prasad
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Kinzie
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000494:pharmacology; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D005576:Colforsin; D002338:Carotenoids; D012969:Sodium Fluoride; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases