VTechWorks staff will be away for the Thanksgiving holiday beginning at noon on Wednesday, November 27, through Friday, November 29. We will resume normal operations on Monday, December 2. Thank you for your patience.

Browsing by Author "Lum, Hazel"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Genistein Induces Pancreatic beta-Cell Proliferation through Activation of Multiple Signaling Pathways and Prevents Insulin-Deficient Diabetes in Mice
    Fu, Zhuo; Zhang, Wen; Zhen, Wei; Lum, Hazel; Nadler, Jerry; Bassaganya-Riera, Josep; Jia, Zhenquan; Wang, Yanwen; Misra, Hara P.; Liu, Dongmin (Endocrine Society, 2010-07)
    Genistein, a flavonoid in legumes and some herbal medicines, has various biological actions. However, studies on whether genistein has an effect on pancreatic beta-cell function are very limited. In the present study, we investigated the effect of genistein on beta-cell proliferation and cellular signaling related to this effect and further determined its antidiabetic potential in insulin-deficient diabetic mice. Genistein induced both INS1 and human islet beta-cell proliferation after 24 h of incubation, with 5 mu M genistein inducing a maximal 27% increase. The effect of genistein on beta-cell proliferation was neither dependent on estrogen receptors nor shared by 17 beta-estradiol or a host of structurally related flavonoid compounds. Pharmacological or molecular intervention of protein kinase A (PKA) or ERK1/2 completely abolished genistein-stimulated beta-cell proliferation, suggesting that both molecules are essential for genistein action. Consistent with its effect on cell proliferation, genistein induced cAMP/PKA signaling and subsequent phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in both INS1 cells and human islets. Furthermore, genistein induced protein expression of cyclin D1, a major cell-cycle regulator essential for beta-cell growth. Dietary intake of genistein significantly improved hyperglycemia, glucose tolerance, and blood insulin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice, concomitant with improved islet beta-cell proliferation, survival, and mass. These results demonstrate that genistein may be a natural antidiabetic agent by directly modulating pancreatic beta-cell function via activation of the cAMP/PKA-dependent ERK1/2 signaling pathway. (Endocrinology 151: 3026-3037, 2010)
  • Thumbnail Image
    Phytoestrogen Genistein Up-Regulates Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression Via Activation of cAMP Response Element-Binding Protein in Human Aortic Endothelial Cells
    Si, Hongwei; Yu, Jie; Jiang, Honglin; Lum, Hazel; Liu, Dongmin (Endocrine Society, 2012-07)
    We previously reported that genistein, a phytoestrogen, up-regulates endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and prevents hypertension in rats that are independent of estrogen signaling machinery. However, how genistein regulates eNOS expression is unknown. In the present study, we show that genistein enhanced eNOS expression and NO synthesis in primary human aortic endothelial cells. Inhibition of extracellular signal regulated kinase, phosphoinositol-3 kinase, or protein kinase C did not affect genistein-enhanced eNOS expression and NO synthesis. However, chemical inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) or adenoviral transfer of the specific endogenous PKA inhibitor gene completely abolished PKA activity and genistein-stimulated eNOS expression and NO production. Accordingly, genistein induced PKA activity and subsequent phosphorylation of cAMP response element (CRE)-binding protein (CREB) at Ser133. Suppression of CREB by small interfering RNA transfection abolished genistein-enhanced eNOS expression and NO production. Consistently, deletion of the CRE site within human eNOS promoter eliminated genistein-stimulated eNOS promoter activity. These findings provide the first evidence to our knowledge that genistein may play a beneficial role in vascular function through targeting the PKA/CREB/eNOS/NO signaling pathway. (Endocrinology 153: 3190-3198, 2012)