The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Volume 16, Issue 7 , Pages 432-434, July 2005

Biotin-dependent regulation of gene expression in human cells

Departamento de Biología Molecular y Biotecnología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico, DF 04510, Mexico

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.

Keywords: Biotin, Holocarboxylase synthetase, Carboxylase, Vitamin utilization, Gene expression

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 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.

PII: S0955-2863(05)00094-X

doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2005.03.021

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry
Volume 16, Issue 7 , Pages 432-434, July 2005