Fwd: [MC_USA] Selenium , The Overlooked Micro Nutrient ( Gene P53 )

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Wayne Fugitt

Sun, 11 Apr 2004 06:27:36 -0500

[MC_USA] Selenium , The Overlooked Micro Nutrient ( Gene P53 )

 

Selenium activates cancer suppressor gene: study

Source: Reuters News

Publish 09/24/2002

 

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The mineral selenium has been shown to lower

the risk of certain cancers, but until now, its exact mechanism of action

has been unclear.

 

In a new study, researchers reveal that selenomethionine, a component of

selenium, activates a tumor-suppressing gene, p53. This gene prevents

tumors from developing by causing abnormal cells to " commit suicide, " or

preventing them from replicating. The p53 gene is mutated or inactive in

many types of cancer.

But the researchers found that selenomethionine appeared to boost p53

activity only in the presence of another compound, Ref1. When researchers

eliminated Ref1 from cells, p53 was not activated, according to the report

in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.

 

The results underscore the importance of good nutrition for cancer

prevention, Dr. Martin L. Smith, the study's primary author, told Reuters

Health. He said that while selenium is found in foods such as nuts,

vegetables and enriched grains, most people probably fall short of the

recommendation to consume about 50 micrograms (mcg) daily.

" Given the average American diet, multivitamins are probably a good idea

for most people, " Smith said. According to the study, the recommendation

for cancer prevention is about 200 mcg daily.

 

" Our study is important because it identifies a critical tumor suppressor

gene as a...target for selenium, " said Smith, from Indiana University in

Indianapolis. He added, " a better understanding of the molecular basis for

antioxidants' action...will allow a fine-tuning of tumor suppression and

cancer prevention. "

 

Antioxidants such as selenium neutralize free radicals in the body. Free

radicals are the natural byproducts of normal body processes, but can

damage cells and lead to disease.

 

The findings are based on experiments performed on human lung cancer cells

that had no p53 genes. Researchers introduced the gene and treated some of

the cells with selenium in the form of selenomethionine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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