Positive Health Online

Abstract

LI and colleagues, Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China, zhli@njmu.edu.cn, have studied the effect of beta-carotene on gene expression in breast cancer cells.

Background

It is known that treatment with beta-carotene changes the gene expression in breast cancer cells. This study was aimed at investigating the altered gene expression pattern of a mammary carcinoma cell line before and after treatment with beta-carotene. An altered gene expression pattern means that different kinds and amounts of proteins are being made in a cell.

Methodology

The methods used in this in vitro study were molecular biological and resulted in the isolation and identification of genes with altered expression levels after treatment with beta-carotene.

Results

A total of 21 genes with altered levels of expression were identified. 3 genes had higher levels of expression and 18 lower levels of expression. The gene products were found to relate to cell apoptosis (programmes cell death), cell signal transduction, protein translation, and immunity.

Conclusion

Beta-Carotene may inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells through inducing cell death, breaking signal transduction, and blocking protein synthesis.

References

Li Z, Hu CY, Mo BQ, Xu JD, Zhao Y. Effect of beta-carotene on gene expression of breast cancer cells. Ai Zheng 22 (4): 380-384, Apr 2003.

Comment

The above are important results at the molecular level, demonstrating that nutrients such as beta-carotene can kill breast cancer cells and may modulate immunity. This has been published in a Chinese journal, and we need to monitor the follow-ups to this research.