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LXR-α selectively reprogrammes cancer cells to enter into apoptosis

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Abstract

There exists a general recognition of the fact that LXR-α, being a member of the nuclear receptor family, plays a crucial role in the biological process that connects inflammation, cholesterol homeostasis, and cellular decisions. In this context the present study was addressed to understand the role of LXR-α gene in the selective and specific reprogramming of cancer cells into a state of apoptosis leaving the normal cells unaffected. The results of this study revealed that LXR-α gene when activated in cancerous cells of diverse origin results in the regulation of genes coding for Bcl-2, AATF, and Par-4 in a fashion, forcing these cells to enter into the state of apoptosis leaving the normal cells unaffected. On the basis of this study we propose that in near future LXR-α agonist (Withaferin A) may definitely find its use in the therapeutic interventions directed towards the treatment of cancer.

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Acknowledgments

This study was funded by fellowship grant from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi, India. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Experimental Medicine and Biotechnology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India

    Aanchal Mehrotra & Deepak Kaul

  2. Department of Histopathology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, 160012, India

    Kusum Joshi

Authors
  1. Aanchal Mehrotra
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  2. Deepak Kaul
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  3. Kusum Joshi
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Correspondence to Deepak Kaul.

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Mehrotra, A., Kaul, D. & Joshi, K. LXR-α selectively reprogrammes cancer cells to enter into apoptosis. Mol Cell Biochem 349, 41–55 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-010-0659-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-010-0659-3

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