Green Tea Compound Plays Sidekick to Guardian of the Genome
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February 16, 2021
The p53 protein has been dubbed as the “guardian of the genome,” not to be confused with the movie
Guardians of the Galaxy. However, you may say p53 has some superhero qualities by protecting and fighting for good. The p53 gene is a tumor suppressor gene that plays a critical role in preventing cells with DNA damage or other cellular insults from turning cancerous. Researchers have tried to combat cancer by boosting the number of copies of healthy p53 in cells, and get a better understanding of its tumor-suppressing function. Now, a new study by researchers at the Rensselaer Polytecnhic Institute reports an antioxidant found in green tea may lend a hand by increasing levels of p53. Their study points to a new target for cancer drug discovery.
New findings show that an anti-oxidant molecule found in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) directly interacts and increases levels of p53, a
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An antioxidant found in green tea may increase levels of p53, a natural anti-cancer protein, known as the âguardian of the genomeâ for its ability to repair DNA damage or destroy cancerous cells. Published today in Nature Communications, a study of the direct interaction between p53 and the green tea compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), points to a new target for cancer drug discovery.
âBoth p53 and EGCG molecules are extremely interesting. Mutations in p53 are found in over 50% of human cancer, while EGCG is the major anti-oxidant in green tea, a popular beverage worldwide,â said Chunyu Wang, corresponding author and a professor of biological sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. âNow we find that there is a previously unknown, direct interaction between the two, which points to a new path for developing anti-cancer drugs. Our work helps to explain how EGCG is able to boost p53âs anti-cancer activity, opening the door to dev
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New York [US], February 13 (ANI): An antioxidant found in green tea may increase levels of p53, a natural anti-cancer protein, known as the 'guardian of the genome' for its ability to repair DNA damage or destroy cancerous cells.