Genistein is an isoflavonoid phytoestrogenic compound found in soybeans, pea pods, and other legumes. The estimated human normal dietary intake of genistein, primarily as glycosides, is 0 to 0.5 mg/kg. Genistein is present in much greater amounts in nutritional supplements. Genistein is carcinogenic in female neonatal mice, inducing endocrine-dependent uterine tumors in a fashion similar to diethylstilbestrol (DES).1 Genistein is a tyrosine-specific inhibitor of protein kinase activity, blocking the tyrosine-phosphorylation of histone H2B.2 In adult animals, dietary genistein has chemopreventive effects on breast, prostate, and other endocrine-dependent tumors.3
1
Newbold, R.R., Banks, E.P., Bullock, B., et al. Uterine adenocarcinoma in mice treated neonatally with genistein. Cancer Res614325-4328(2001).
2
Akiyama, T., Ishida, J., Nakagawa, S., et al. Genistein, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine-specific protein kinases. J Biol Chem262(1)5592-5595(1987).
3
Lamartiniere, C.A., Cotroneo, M.S., Fritz, W.A., et al. Genistein chemoprevention: Timing and mechanisms of action in murine mammary and prostate. J Nutr132552S-558S(2002).
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Oc1ccc(cc1)c1coc2cc(O)cc(O)c2c1=O
Background Reading
Newbold, R.R., Banks, E.P., Bullock, B., et al. Uterine adenocarcinoma in mice treated neonatally with genistein. Cancer Res614325-4328(2001).
Lamartiniere, C.A., Cotroneo, M.S., Fritz, W.A., et al. Genistein chemoprevention: Timing and mechanisms of action in murine mammary and prostate. J Nutr132552S-558S(2002).
Akiyama, T., Ishida, J., Nakagawa, S., et al. Genistein, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine-specific protein kinases. J Biol Chem262(1)5592-5595(1987).
Genistein is available in the following screening
library: