Viscum album preparations inhibit DNA methylation by preventing DNA methyltransferase-induced methyl group transfer

Author(s): ZWIERS, A., PALS, G., KIPP, J., ERIKSSON, A.

Abstract: Interactions between Viscum album (Iscador) and DNA were studied by amplification of specific human pepsinogen A gene promoter sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gel retardation assays showed no binding of Viscum album to these promoter sequences. Incubation of plasmid constructs consisting of human pepsigen A promoter fragments coupled to the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene with Iscador had no effect on transcriptional activity. Promoter sequences incubated with Iscador became insensitive to methy-lation by specific DNA methyltransferases by destruction of DNA methyltransferase activity.

Keyword(s): Carcinogenesis

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