title: Tea flavan-3-ols as modulating factors in endoplasmic reticulum function.
abstract: Regular green tea consumption has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and diabetes mellitus. These effects are attributed to tea flavan-3-ols, especially to epigallocatechin gallate; however, the molecular targets and mechanisms of action are still subject of extensive research. The special roles of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in biotransformation, protein synthesis, calcium homeostasis, and glucose production make this organelle a potential target of the antitumor and antidiabetic effects of tea flavan-3-ols. The purpose of this review is to present evidence for the biologic actions of tea flavan-3-ols on specific ER targets associated with normal function and disease. Reactivation of chemical carcinogens can be reduced by tea flavan-3-ols through inhibition of glucuronide transport across the ER membrane. Catechins modulate Ca(2+) release from the ER lumen and interfere with glycoprotein maturation, which can lead to decreased viability and increased drug sensitivity of tumor cells. Epigallocatechin gallate inhibits glucose transport across the ER membrane, which can underlie the reduction of hepatic glucose production by tea flavan-3-ols. These mechanisms likely contribute to the chemopreventive and glucose-lowering effects of tea catechins. Investigating the effects of flavan-3-ols on ER functions is a promising field of medical and biochemical research to understand disease and improve health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Pathobiochemistry, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. katalin.revesz@eok.sote.hu
authors.forename: Katalin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Révész
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tütto
authors.forename: Péter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szelényi
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Konta
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001692:Biological Transport / Q000187:drug effects; D001711:Biotransformation / Q000187:drug effects; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000187:drug effects; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005943:Gluconeogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D020719:Glucuronides / Q000378:metabolism; D006031:Glycosylation / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational / Q000187:drug effects; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002273:Carcinogens; D005419:Flavonoids; D020719:Glucuronides; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D013662:Tea; C404987:flavan-3-ol; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate