An antioxidant found in green tea increases levels of a natural cancer-fighting protein capable of repairing DNA damage and destroying cancer cells. Its consumption also helps to promote weight loss, reduce cholesterol levels, prevent cavities and even fight against fatigue.
- Drinking green tea increases levels of p53, a natural cancer-fighting protein.
- p53 mutations are present in more than 50% of human cancers.
Drinking tea is never a bad idea. Its consumption helps to lose weight and fight against obesity. A meta-analysis published on December 2, 2019 in the journal Physiotherapy Research revealed that green tea helps increase fat oxidation. Previous studies have shown that the antioxidant action of polyphenols reduces cholesterol levels. Green tea also contains fluoride which helps prevent cavities. The high levels of caffeine and vitamin C in the drink are stimulants used against fatigue. Would it also have virtues against cancer?
The p53 protein, the most important in cancer
The anti-cancer effects of green tea are the subject of debate in the scientific community. Some believe that its consumption can interfere with certain drug treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, while others argue that green teas rich in catechins can reduce the multiplication of tumor cells. In a new study, published on February 12 in the journal NatureCommunications, US researchers suggest that an antioxidant found in green tea, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may increase levels of p53, a natural cancer-fighting protein. Known as the “keeper of the genome”, it is able to repair DNA damage and destroy cancer cells.
“p53 and EGCG molecules are extremely interestingdescribes Chunyu Wang, professor of biological sciences at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York and author of the study. Mutations in p53 are present in more than 50% of human cancers, while EGCG is the main antioxidant in green tea, a popular beverage around the world. We are now discovering that there is an unknown direct interaction between the two, which points to a new avenue for cancer drug development. Our work helps explain how EGCG is able to stimulate the anti-cancer activity of p53, opening the door to drug development with EGCG-like compounds..”
EGCG protects p53
The p53 protein, which Chunyu Wang describes as “arguably the most important protein in human cancer”, has several known anti-cancer functions. It allows the arrest of cell growth to allow DNA repair, the activation of DNA repair and apoptosis, that is to say the triggering of programmed cell death if the damage to DNA cannot be repaired. One end of the protein, N-terminal, has a flexible shape which allows it to adapt to the molecules it is confronted with. EGCG is a natural antioxidant that helps repair damage caused by the use of oxygen metabolism. Found abundantly in green tea, EGCG is also packaged in herbal supplement form.
The researchers found that the interaction between EGCG and p53 preserves the protein from degradation. After being produced in the body, p53 is rapidly degraded when the N-terminal domain interacts with a protein called MDM2. This regular cycle of production and breakdown keeps p53 levels at a constant low. “EGCG and MDM2 bind to the same place on the p53 protein, at the N-terminus, so EGCG competes with MDM2says the researcher. When EGCG binds to p53, the protein is no longer degraded by MDM2 so the level of p53 increases with the direct interaction with EGCG. This means there is more p53 for anti-cancer function. This is a very important interaction.”
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