title: Ascorbic Acid and gene expression: another example of regulation of gene expression by small molecules?
abstract: Ascorbic acid (vitamin C, AA) has long been considered a food supplement necessary for life and for preventing scurvy. However, it has been reported that other small molecules such as retinoic acid (vitamin A) and different forms of calciferol (vitamin D) are directly involved in regulating the expression of numerous genes. These molecules bind to receptors that are differentially expressed in the embryo and are therefore crucial signalling molecules in vertebrate development. The question is: is ascorbic acid also a signalling molecule that regulates gene expression?We therefore present and discuss recent publications that demonstrate that AA regulates the expression of a battery of genes. We offer a clue to understanding the biochemical mechanism by which AA regulates gene expression. Finally we will discuss the question of a receptor for AA and its potential involvement in embryonic development and cell differentiation.
authors.affiliation: Therapy of Genetic Disorders, EA 4263, Faculté de Médecine de la Timone, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Belin
authors.forename: Ferdinand
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kaya
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Burtey
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fontes
references.citation: Nature. 1990 Jan 11;343(6254):177-80
references.pmid: 2153268
references.citation: Science. 1973 Dec 21;182(4118):1271-2
references.pmid: 4752221
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 1994 May 6;269(18):13685-8
references.pmid: 8175804
references.citation: Nat Med. 2004 Apr;10(4):396-401
references.pmid: 15034573
references.citation: Kidney Int. 2008 Nov;74(10):1278-86
references.pmid: 18614995
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 1999 Aug 13;274(33):23215-22
references.pmid: 10438494
references.citation: J Hist Med Allied Sci. 1975 Jan;30(1):40-60
references.pmid: 1094060
references.citation: J Neurosci. 2002 Jul 15;22(14):6083-91
references.pmid: 12122069
references.citation: Neuroreport. 2004 Aug 26;15(12):1959-63
references.pmid: 15305145
references.citation: FEBS Lett. 1999 Nov 5;460(3):480-4
references.pmid: 10556521
references.citation: Arch Biochem Biophys. 2007 Apr 15;460(2):293-9
references.pmid: 17288986
references.citation: Nat Med. 2002 May;8(5):514-7
references.pmid: 11984597
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 1989 Oct 5;264(28):16957-62
references.pmid: 2777815
references.citation: FEBS Lett. 2008 Oct 29;582(25-26):3614-8
references.pmid: 18835269
references.citation: PLoS One. 2009;4(2):e4409
references.pmid: 19197388
references.citation: Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1961 Apr 21;92:175-91
references.pmid: 13757921
references.citation: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1981 May;78(5):2879-82
references.pmid: 6265920
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1985 Nov 7;820(2):265-73
references.pmid: 4052423
references.citation: Circulation. 2003 Apr 15;107(14):1912-6
references.pmid: 12668514
references.citation: J Cell Biochem. 2009 Apr 15;106(6):1136-45
references.pmid: 19224539
references.citation: Cell. 1995 Dec 15;83(6):835-9
references.pmid: 8521507
references.citation: Nature. 1999 May 6;399(6731):70-5
references.pmid: 10331392
references.citation: J Neurosci Res. 2005 Apr 1;80(1):37-46
references.pmid: 15723356
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1972 Oct 31;278(3):610-6
references.pmid: 4343675
references.citation: Hum Genet. 2004 Sep;115(4):285-94
references.pmid: 15316768
references.citation: Vitam Horm. 2001;61:241-66
references.pmid: 11153268
references.citation: Muscle Nerve. 2008 Aug;38(2):1052-4
references.pmid: 18663735
references.citation: Nucl Recept Signal. 2009;7:e002
references.pmid: 19381305
references.citation: Life Sci. 1979 Mar 5;24(10):911-5
references.pmid: 109717
references.citation: Brain Res. 1987 Mar;429(1):95-102
references.pmid: 2436721
references.citation: Nature. 1957 Sep 14;180(4585):553
references.pmid: 13477232
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1981 Jan 7;672(1):123-7
references.pmid: 6783120
references.citation: N Engl J Med. 2007 Jul 19;357(3):266-81
references.pmid: 17634462
references.citation: Cell. 1995 Dec 15;83(6):841-50
references.pmid: 8521508
references.citation: FEBS J. 2007 Jan;274(1):1-22
references.pmid: 17222174
references.citation: Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Aug 19;334(1):150-6
references.pmid: 15993839
references.citation: J Neurosci Res. 2001 Sep 15;65(6):508-19
references.pmid: 11550219
references.citation: J Lipid Res. 2002 Nov;43(11):1773-808
references.pmid: 12401878
references.citation: Trends Biochem Sci. 1992 Oct;17(10):427-33
references.pmid: 1333659
references.citation: J Am Coll Nutr. 2003 Feb;22(1):18-35
references.pmid: 12569111
references.citation: Histochem Cell Biol. 2006 Oct;126(4):491-4
references.pmid: 16673096
references.citation: J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Aug;18(8):497-508
references.pmid: 17320364
references.citation: J Neurosci Res. 1999 May 1;56(3):284-94
references.pmid: 10336258
references.citation: Gene. 2000 May 2;248(1-2):223-31
references.pmid: 10806367
references.citation: Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2005 Jul;289(1):F8-28
references.pmid: 15951480
references.citation: Comp Biochem Physiol A Comp Physiol. 1972 Aug 1;42(4):945-52
references.pmid: 4404522
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 1992 Oct 25;267(30):21967-72
references.pmid: 1400507
references.citation: Science. 1956 Dec 7;124(3232):1148-9
references.pmid: 13380431
references.citation: J Cell Biol. 1987 Aug;105(2):1023-34
references.pmid: 3624305
references.citation: Mol Cancer Ther. 2006 Apr;5(4):797-808
references.pmid: 16648549
references.citation: Vitam Horm. 2005;70:199-264
references.pmid: 15727806
references.citation: Neuromuscul Disord. 2007 Mar;17(3):248-53
references.pmid: 17303424
references.citation: Annu Rev Pharmacol Toxicol. 1999;39:399-430
references.pmid: 10331090
references.citation: Annu Rev Nutr. 2005;25:105-25
references.pmid: 16011461
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 1984 Sep 10;259(17):10764-70
references.pmid: 6432788
references.citation: Nucleic Acids Res. 1984 Mar 12;12(5):2569-79
references.pmid: 6709500
references.citation: Biochim Biophys Acta. 1972 Feb 29;257(2):384-8
references.pmid: 5063249
references.citation: J Biol Chem. 2000 Sep 8;275(36):28208-15
references.pmid: 10852920
references.citation: J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004 May;89-90(1-5):239-44
references.pmid: 15225778