Effect of genistein on cholesterol metabolism-related genes in a colon cancer cell line

The major soy-derived isoflavones such as genistein has been demonstrated to possess anticarcinogenic activity in animal model systems. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of isoflavone genistein exposure at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 50 mu M on the LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase gene expression in the estrogen receptor positive DLD-1 human colon cancer cell line. LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase gene expressions were evaluated by reverse transcription followed by real-time PCR. Genistein induced an increase of LDL receptor gene expression and later decrease of HMG-CoA reductase mRNA expression in DLD-1 cells. These findings provide direct evidence on the role of genistein in regulating LDL receptor and HMG-CoA reductase gene expression in colon cancer.