EGR-1/Bax Pathway Plays a Role in Vitamin E δ-Tocotrienol-induced Apoptosis in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

The anticancer activity of δ-tocotrienol, a bioactive vitamin E present in whole grain cereals, annatto beans, and palm fruit, is strongly dependent on its effect on the induction of apoptosis. δ-Tocotrienol-induced apoptosis is associated with consistent induction in the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. The molecular mechanism by which δ-tocotrienol regulates Bax expression is unknown. We carried out a DNA microarray study that identified δ-tocotrienol induction of the zinc finger transcription factor, EGR-1, in pancreatic cancer cells.

Source: The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry - April 1, 2015 Category: Biochemistry Authors: Chen Wang, Kazim Husain, Anying Zhang, Barbara A. Centeno, Dung-Tsa Chen, Zhongsheng Tong, Säid M. Sebti, Mokenge P. Malafa Tags: Research article Source Type: research