Planta Med 2006; 72(2): 184-186
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-873182
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Analysis of the Promoter-Specific Estrogenic Potency of the Phytoestrogens Genistein, Daidzein and Coumestrol

Oliver Zierau1 , Susanne Kolba1 , Sabine Olff2 , Günter Vollmer1 , Patrick Diel2
  • 1Institute for Zoology, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
  • 2Department of Molecular and Cellular Sports Medicine, Deutsche Sporthochschule Köln, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 13, 2005

Accepted: June 20, 2005

Publication Date:
05 December 2005 (online)

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Abstract

Estrogens modulate the transcription of sensitive genes either via binding of the activated ER to responsive elements in their promoter region or via binding of the activated ER to transcription factors like NFκB. In this study we have analyzed the effects of the phytoestrogens daidzein, coumestrol and genistein in promoter-specific reporter gene systems. The dose-dependent ability to stimulate an ERE-bearing reporter in MVLN breast cancer cells was compared to the dose-dependent ability to repress the IL-1β-stimulated reporter in U2OS osteosarcoma cells. Coumestrol, daidzein and genistein stimulate the expression of the ERE-dependent reporter in MVLN cells and repress the activity of the IL-6 promoter in U2OS cells in a dose-dependent manner. Interestingly, the relative potency of all phytoestrogens to repress the activity of the IL-6 promoter in U2OS cells was much higher than their potency to stimulate the ERE-dependent reporter in MVLN cells. We assume that the demonstrated promoter-specific potency therefore could be an important mechanism to explain a tissue-specific action of some of these compounds.

References

Dr. Oliver Zierau

Institut für Zoologie

Technische Universität Dresden

Zellescher Weg 20

01217 Dresden

Phone: +49-351-4633-7841

Fax: +49-351-4633-1923

Email: Oliver.Zierau@mailbox.tu-dresden.de