Eat Broccoli For Reawakening The Function Of Potent Tumor Suppressor

It has been long associated that with lowered risk of cancer, broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables -- the family of plants which also comprises cauliflower, cabbage, collard greens, Brussels sprouts and kale – comprise a molecule which inactivates a gene called to play a vital role in various general human cancers. In a recent paper published today in Science, researchers, led by Pier Paolo Pandolfi, MD, PhD, Director of the Cancer Center and Cancer Research Institute at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, represent that focusing the gene, called WWP1, with the ingredient found in broccoli suppressed tumor growth in cancer-prone lab animals.

Pandolfi said that they found a new significant player which drives a pathway critical to the development of cancer, an enzyme which can be inhibited with a natural compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables. He added that this pathway emerges not only as a regulator for tumor growth control, but also as an Achilles' heel which they can target with therapeutic options.

A widely known and potent tumor suppressive gene, PTEN is one of the most frequently mutated, deleted, down regulated or silenced tumor suppressor genes which is present in human cancers. Specific inherited PTEN mutations can be the reason for syndromes characterized by cancer susceptibility and developmental defects. But because complete loss of the gene initiates an irreversible and potent failsafe mechanism which halts proliferation of cancer cells, both copies of the gene are rarely affected. Instead of this, tumor cells exhibit smaller levels of PTEN, arising the question whether restoring PTEN activity to normal levels in the cancer setting will be able to disclose the gene's tumor suppressive activity.

For finding this out, Pandolfi along with his colleagues identified the molecules and compounds regulating PTEN function and activation. They carry out a series of experiments in cancer prone mice and human cells. The team showcased that a gene called WWP1 -- which is also called to play a role in the development of cancer – generates an enzyme which inhibits PTEN's tumor suppressive activity. How to inactivate this PTEN kryptonite? This is done by analyzing the enzyme's physical shape, the research team's chemists recognized that a small molecule -- formally named indole-3-carbinol (I3C) which is an ingredient in broccoli and its relatives could be the key to quelling the cancer. This causes effects of WWP1.

By administering I3C to cancer prone lab animals, when Pandolfi with his colleagues tested this idea, the scientists concluded that the naturally occurring ingredient in broccoli inactivated WWP1, releasing the brakes on the PTEN's tumor suppressive power.

By: Preeti Narula

Content: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/05/190516142913.htm