title: Production of phytoene, a carotenoid, and induction of connexin 26 in transgenic mice carrying the phytoene synthase gene crtB.
abstract: Carotenoids have been recognized as chemopreventive agents against human diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Mammalians utilize carotenoids supplied from their food since they are unable to perform the de novo synthesis of carotenoids. We previously created mammalian cultured cells producing phytoene, a type of carotenoid, and showed that these cells acquired resistance against oxidative stress and oncogenic transformation. In the present study, we established a transgenic mouse line, carrying the crtB gene encoding phytoene synthase, which could produce phytoene endogenously. It was found that connexin 26 was induced in these phytoene-producing mice. Since it is known that carotenoids enhance gap junctional communication by inducing the expression of connexin genes, the present data suggest that the induction of connexin 26 in phytoene-producing mice may play a role in controlling cell-to-cell communication. Phytoene-producing mice provide a useful system in which to investigate the in vivo function of the carotenoid phytoene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. ysatomi@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
authors.forename: Yoshiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Satomi
authors.forename: Norihiko
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Misawa
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maoka
authors.forename: Hoyoku
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishino
mesh_terms: D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D000072259:Connexin 26; D017630:Connexins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D017931:DNA Primers; D051232:Geranylgeranyl-Diphosphate Geranylgeranyltransferase; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D017630:Connexins; D017931:DNA Primers; C000607043:Gjb2 protein, mouse; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D000072259:Connexin 26; D002338:Carotenoids; C100185:(all-E) phytoene; D019883:Alkyl and Aryl Transferases; D051232:Geranylgeranyl-Diphosphate Geranylgeranyltransferase