Genistein (C15H10O5) is a naturally occurring compound that structurally belongs to a class of compounds known as isoflavones. It is described as an angiogenesis inhibitor and a phytoestrogen.
It was first isolated in 1899 from the dyer's broom, Genista tinctoria; hence, the chemical name. The compound structure was established in 1926, when it was found to be identical with that of prunetol. It was chemically synthesized in 1928. It has been shown to be the primary secondary metabolite of the Trifolium species and Glycine max.
Isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein are found in a number of plants including lupin, fava beans, soybeans, kudzu, and psoralea being the primary food source, also in the medicinal plants, Flemingia vestita and F. macrophylla, and coffee. It can also be found in Maackia amurensis cell cultures.
Besides functioning as an antioxidant and anthelmintic, many isoflavones have been shown to interact with animal and human estrogen receptors, causing effects in the body similar to those caused by the hormone estrogen. Isoflavones also produce non-hormonal effects.
Genistein influences multiple biochemical functions in living cells:
full agonist of ERβ (EC50 = 7.62 nM) and, to a much lesser extent (~20-fold), full agonist or partial agonist of ERα
agonist of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (affinity of 133 nM)
activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs)
inhibition of several tyrosine kinases
inhibition of topoisomerase
inhibition of AAAD
direct antioxidation with some pro oxidative features
activation of Nrf2 antioxidative response
stimulation of autophagy
inhibition of the mammalian hexose transporter GLUT1
contraction of several types of smooth muscles
modulation of CFTR channel, potentiating its opening at low concentration and inhibiting it a higher doses.
inhibition of cytosine methylation
inhibition of DNA methyltransferase
inhibition of the glycine receptor
inhibition of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor
Isoflavones genistein and daidzein bind to and transactivate all three PPAR isoforms, α, δ, and γ.
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.
Isoflavones are substituted derivatives of isoflavone, a type of naturally occurring isoflavonoids, many of which act as phytoestrogens in mammals. Isoflavones are produced almost exclusively by the members of the bean family, Fabaceae (Leguminosae). Although isoflavones and closely related phytoestrogens are sold as dietary supplements, there is little scientific evidence for either the safety of long-term supplementation or of health benefits from these compounds.
Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), also known as NR3A1 (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group A, member 1), is one of two main types of estrogen receptor, a nuclear receptor (mainly found as a chromatin-binding protein) that is activated by the sex hormone estrogen. In humans, ERα is encoded by the gene ESR1 (EStrogen Receptor 1). The estrogen receptor (ER) is a ligand-activated transcription factor composed of several domains important for hormone binding, DNA binding, and activation of transcription.
A phytoestrogen is a plant-derived xenoestrogen (see estrogen) not generated within the endocrine system, but consumed by eating plants or manufactured foods. Also called a "dietary estrogen", it is a diverse group of naturally occurring nonsteroidal plant compounds that, because of its structural similarity to estradiol (17-β-estradiol), have the ability to cause estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects. Phytoestrogens are not essential nutrients because their absence from the diet does not cause a disease, nor are they known to participate in any normal biological function.
White adipose tissue (WAT) can differentiate into beige adipose tissue by the browning process. Some polyphenols, including isoflavones, particularly genistein, are suggested to increase the expression of browning markers. There is evidence that consumptio ...
Ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) is an essential enzyme in DNA biogenesis and a target of several chemotherapeutics. Here, we investigate how antileukemic drugs (e.g., clofarabine [CIF]) that target one of the two subunits of RNR, RNR-alpha, affect noncanoni ...
CELL PRESS2020
, ,
Emerging evidence suggest that transcription factors play multiple roles in the development of pancreatitis, a necroinflammatory condition lacking specific therapy. Estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), a pleiotropic transcription factor, has been reported t ...