Non-antioxidant molecular functions of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E).
alpha-Tocopherol (the major vitamin E component) regulates key cellular events by mechanisms unrelated with its antioxidant function. Inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) activity and vascular smooth muscle cell growth by alpha-tocopherol was first described by our group. Later, alpha-tocopherol was shown to inhibit PKC in various cell types with consequent inhibition of aggregation in platelets, of nitric oxide production in endothelial cells and of superoxide production in neutrophils and macrophages. alpha-Tocopherol diminishes adhesion molecule, collagenase and scavenger receptor (SR-A and CD36) expression and increases connective tissue growth factor expression.
Azzi
Angelo
A
Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Bern, Bühlstrasse 28, CH-3012 Bern, Switzerland. angelo.azzi@mci.unibe.ch
Ricciarelli
Roberta
R
Zingg
Jean Marc
JM
D000818:Animals; D018955:CD36 Antigens; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009131:Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000378:metabolism; D018110:Receptors, Lipoprotein; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; D051117:Scavenger Receptors, Class A; D051122:Scavenger Receptors, Class B; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*
D018955:CD36 Antigens; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D018110:Receptors, Lipoprotein; D051116:Receptors, Scavenger; C454739:Scarb1 protein, mouse; D051117:Scavenger Receptors, Class A; D051122:Scavenger Receptors, Class B; C017763:alpha-tocopherol transfer protein; D014810:Vitamin E; D011493:Protein Kinase C