title: Biological role of vitamin C in keratinocytes.
abstract: Epidemiological studies have suggested an association between vitamin C (and other antioxidant vitamins) and cancer risk. However, the mechanisms accounting for prevention have not been extensively investigated. In skin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid) exerts different biological roles, including photoprotective effects and participation in collagen synthesis. This paper reports new findings about additional functions of the vitamin. Vitamin C counteracts oxidative stress via transcriptional and post-translational mechanisms; this modulation may interfere with the activity of redox-sensitive transcription factors, commitment to differentiation or cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in response to DNA damage. All of these vitamin C-mediated responses might be important in different cell types, allowing for the maintenance of body homeostasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine and Biochemical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Valeria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Catani
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Savini
authors.forename: Antonello
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Gerry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Melino
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Avigliano
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004249:DNA Damage; D004357:Drug Synergism; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D014157:Transcription Factors; D001205:Ascorbic Acid