Ingesting green tea could be quite beneficial, as researchers have found that a compound in the popular drink can increase the levels of a natural anti-cancer protein, known for its ability to repair DNA damage or destroy cancer cells. says a new study.
The study of the direct interaction between the anticancer protein p53 and the green tea compound, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), published in the journal Nature Communications, indicates a new target for the discovery of anti-cancer drugs. “Both p53 and EGCG molecules are extremely interesting. P53 mutations are found in over 50% of human cancers, while EGCG is the main antioxidant in green tea, a popular beverage worldwide,” said author Chunyu Wang. professor at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.
“We now find that there is a previously unknown direct interaction between the two, which indicates a new path for the development of anti-cancer drugs. Our work helps to explain how EGCG is able to stimulate the anticancer activity of p53, opening the door to the development of drugs with EGCG-like compounds. “
The p53 protein has several well-known anti-cancer functions, including stopping cell growth to allow DNA repair, activating DNA repair, and initiating programmed cell death called apoptosis if DNA damage cannot be repaired. One end of the protein, known as the N-terminal domain, has a flexible shape and can therefore perform several functions depending on its interaction with several molecules.
EGCG is a natural antioxidant, which means that it helps eliminate almost constant damage caused by the use of oxygen metabolism. Found in abundance in green tea, EGCG is also packaged as an herbal supplement. The researchers found that the interaction between EGCG and p53 preserves the degradation protein.
Usually, 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 degradation keeps p53 levels low.
“When EGCG binds to p53, the protein is not degraded by MDM2, so the level of p53 will increase with direct interaction with EGCG and this means that there is more p53 for anti-cancer function. This is a very important interaction, “Wang said.