Biotin-dependent regulation of gene expression in human cells☆
Received 30 March 2005; received in revised form 30 March 2005; accepted 30 March 2005.
Abstract
The role of biotin as cofactor of carboxylases and its importance in metabolic homeostasis are well known. In recent years, different researchers have suggested the participation of biotin as a regulator molecule in the control of gene expression. Biotin-dependent gene expression requires of the transformation of biotin into biotinyl-5′-AMP by holocarboxylase synthetase and the activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and a cGMP-dependent protein kinase. The regulatory role of biotin is responsible for the correct expression of enzymes involved in biotin utilization in human cells. We propose that this mechanism protects the brain from biotin deficiency.
Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, DF 04510, Mexico
☆ This work was presented at the “International Symposium Vitamins as Regulators of Gene Expression: Biotin as a Model” held December 3–4, 2004 in Ixtapa Zihuatanejo, Mexico. The meeting was sponsored by Sociedad Mexicana de Bioquímica, Laboratorios Roche-Syntex México and Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.
ABSTRACT