Vitamin cell signaling

Azzi A, Gysin R, Kempna P et al (2004) Vitamin E mediates cell signaling and regulation of gene expression. Ann N YAcad Sci 1031 86-95... 

Signals that enter the cell (steroids, vitamin D, thyroid hormone, and retinoids)... 

More recent studies have shown that vitamin E also has roles in cell signaling, by inhibition or inactivation of protein kinase C, and in modulation of gene expression, inhibition of cell proliferation, and platelet aggregation. These effects are specific for a-tocopherol and are independent of the antioxidant properties of the vitamin. 

Vitamin K-Dependent Proteins in Cell Signaling - Cas6... 

Lipids play many essential roles in cell biology. They act as strnctnral materials or as cell signals, provide a barrier for ion separation, and prevent cells from pathogen invasion and water loss. Among many other fnnctions, they also act as temperatnre sensors and serve as a substrate for eicosanoids (Slabas et al., 2001). To fulfill these functions, n-6 and n-3 FA that cannot be synthesized by animal organisms need to be delivered in a diet. The majority of diet-snpplied lipids serve as a sonrce of energy and carriers of lipophilic, biologically active compounds, snch as vitamins and antioxidants. 

There is a considerable body of research that indicates that vitamin E has important antioxidant, or redox-modulatory, functions in cell membranes and other lipidic sites in the body, which include especially the prevention of pro-oxidant (including oxygen free radical) damage by peroxidation of the polyunsaturated lipids. Recent studies suggest that vitamin E also has cell-signaling functions. The different chemical forms of vitamin E have different metabolic fates, and may also have different functions from each other. However, the roles and significance of vitamin E in chronic human diseases have yet to be fully elucidated. 

Recent research has indicated that vitamin E is also involved in the regulation of cell signalling and gene expression. 

Biotin and folic acid (FA) (Figure 23.1) are two members of the water-soluble B complex vitamins. Biotin plays an important role in gene expression, cell signalling and histone biotinylation, and functions as a coenzyme in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. It also functions in the metabolism of fatty... 

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