LXR-α selectively reprogrammes cancer cells to enter into apoptosis.

Abstract

There exists a general recognition of the fact that LXR-α, being a member of the nuclear receptor family, plays a crucial role in the biological process that connects inflammation, cholesterol homeostasis, and cellular decisions. In this context the present study was addressed to understand the role of LXR-α gene in the selective and specific reprogramming of cancer cells into a state of apoptosis leaving the normal cells unaffected. The results of this study revealed that LXR-α gene when activated in cancerous cells of diverse origin results in the regulation of genes coding for Bcl-2, AATF, and Par-4 in a fashion, forcing these cells to enter into the state of apoptosis leaving the normal cells unaffected. On the basis of this study we propose that in near future LXR-α agonist (Withaferin A) may definitely find its use in the therapeutic interventions directed towards the treatment of cancer.

• Authors: Aanchal Mehrotra, Deepak Kaul, Kusum Joshi
• Journal: Molecular and cellular biochemistry (Mol Cell Biochem) Vol. 349 Issue 1-2 Pg. 41-55 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1573-4919 [Electronic] Netherlands
• PMID: 21125317 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents
• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
• E2F1 Transcription Factor
• E2F1 protein, human
• Hydroxycholesterols
• Ligands
• Liver X Receptors
• MXI1 protein, human
• NR1H3 protein, human
• Orphan Nuclear Receptors
• Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins
• Withanolides
• withaferin A

Topics

• Antineoplastic Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors (genetics)
• Cell Cycle (drug effects)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Cell Survival (drug effects)
• E2F1 Transcription Factor (genetics)
• Gene Expression Profiling
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Genes, Reporter
• Humans
• Hydroxycholesterols (pharmacology)
• Ligands
• Liver X Receptors
• Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Orphan Nuclear Receptors (genetics, metabolism)
• Protein Binding
• RNA Interference
• Response Elements
• Signal Transduction
• Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 (genetics)
• T-Lymphocytes (drug effects, ultrastructure)
• Transcription, Genetic (drug effects)
• Tumor Suppressor Proteins (genetics)
• Withanolides (pharmacology)