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According to a new study from the University of Eastern Finlands shows,naturally occurring pigments in berries-anthocyanins, increase the function of the sirtuin 6 enzyme in cancer cells. The regulation of this enzyme could leads to new method for cancer treatment.
Sirtuins are enzymes regulating the expression of genes that control the function of cells through key cellular signalling pathways. Ageing causes changes in sirtuin function, and these changes contribute to the development of various diseases. Sirtuin 6, or SIRT6 for short, is a less well-known enzyme that is also linked to glucose metabolism. Berries get their red, blue or purple colour from natural pigments, anthocyanins.
Cyanidin increased SIRT6 enzyme levels in human colorectal cancer cells, and it was also discovered to decrease the expression of the Twist1 and GLUT1 cancer genes, while increasing the expression of the tumour suppressor FoXO3 gene in cells.
The researchers also designed a computer-based model that allowed them to predict how different flavonoid compounds in plants can regulate the SIRT6 enzyme. This shows that anthocyanins increase the activation of SIRT6, which may play a role in cancer pathogenesis.
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