Understanding Lunasin’s biology and potential as a cancer therapeutic by utilizingDrosophilagenetics

Abstract

Soy contains many bioactive molecules known to elicit anticancer effects. One such peptide, Lunasin, has been shown to selectively act on newly transformed cells while having no cytotoxic effect on non-tumorigenic or established cancer cell lines. While this effect on in vitro systems is promising, Lunasin's efficacy in an in vivo system is yet to be assessed. In this review, we discuss the state of knowledge with respect to Lunasin and then review some of the powerful genetic tools available in Drosophila. The availability of a sophisticated genetic tool box makes Drosophila an excellent genetic model well suited to studying the biology of Lunasin and its effect on tumor progression in an in vivo model organism.

A soy protein Lunasin can ameliorate amyloid-beta 42 mediated neurodegeneration in Drosophila eye

“…Several plant products have been identified as therapeutic targets for cancer, inflammation and various other disease 72 , 74 , 75 , 102 , 103 . Chronic inflammation has long been implicated in cancer and also plays major role in neurodegenerative disorders like AD.…”

“…The soy protein Lunasin has multiple interacting domains and may affect different cell biological processes. Lunasin has been reported to have anti-metastatic and chemopreventive activity 61 , 72 , 74 , 75 , 104 , 105 . Lunasin can significantly reduce a melanoma stem cell population 106 .…”

“…We used our AD model to test plant-based protein Lunasin for its role in blocking Aβ42 mediated neurodegeneration. Lunasin, a soy (glycine max) derived peptide, has multiple roles 72 . Lunasin protein has four functional domains 72 – 74 .…”

“…Lunasin, a soy (glycine max) derived peptide, has multiple roles 72 . Lunasin protein has four functional domains 72 – 74 . It has an N terminal region of unknown function, followed by a chromatin binding helical region, a carboxy terminal RGD cell adhesion motif, and an eight aspartic acid (poly-D) tail.…”

Oral Administration of CardioAid and Lunasin Alleviates Liver Damage in a High-Fat Diet Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis Model

“…It internalizes into cells within minutes and localizes to the nucleus within 18 h [7]. Lunasin has anti-hypertension effects and antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and hypocholesterolemic activities [8,9]. …”