Stimulation of pS2 expression by diet-derived compounds.
Epidemiological studies suggest a lowered risk of hormone-dependent cancers among vegetarians, but the basis for this association remains unclear. Vegetables and fruits contain certain compounds which can be converted to biologically active hormone-like substances, such as lignans and isoflavones, by intestinal flora. The interaction of these compounds with endogenous hormones may be a novel, diet-dependent mechanism in cancer prevention. To explore this possibility, we developed a rapid, specific assay system to screen for compounds with estrogen-like activity in tissue culture. We utilized the estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cell MCF-7 and monitored the expression of the estrogen-responsive protein pS2 by Northern blots. Our results indicated that the phenolic compounds daidzein, equol, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, enterolactone, and kaempferol were able to elicit an estrogen-like response, while quercetin and enterodiol were not.
Sathyamoorthy
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Laboratory of Nutritional and Molecular Regulation, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Frederick, Maryland 21702-1201.
Wang
T T
TT
Phang
J M
JM
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D004032:Diet; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D017705:Lignans / Q000494:pharmacology; D009637:Masoprocol / Q000494:pharmacology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D004967:Estrogens; D005419:Flavonoids; D017705:Lignans; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C051838:TFF1 protein, human; D000071163:Trefoil Factor-1; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D009637:Masoprocol