The antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), found in green tea, increases levels of the powerful anti-cancer protein p53, known as the guardian of the genome. This compound is capable of repairing DNA damage and killing cancer cells. This conclusion was reached by scientists at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (USA), whose article was published in the leading scientific journal Nature Communications.
It is known that mutations affecting the p53 protein occur in more than 50 percent of cancers. This protein has several anti-tumor functions, including stopping cell growth to repair DNA and triggering programmed cell death or apoptosis if DNA cannot be repaired. EGCG is a natural antioxidant that fights oxidative stress.
Scientists have used surface plasmon resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to study the interaction between EGCG and p53.
Usually, after formation, p53 is rapidly degraded when the N-terminal domain interacts with a regulatory cleaving protein called MDM2. The researchers found that EGCG and MDM2 bind to p53 at the same site, competing with each other. Therefore, in the presence of epigallocatechin, the level of protein in the body begins to rise, which enhances the anti-cancer effect.
NTD p53 may serve as a target for potential cancer drugs, according to the authors.