Comparative Studies on Signaling and Signal Transduction in Plants and Mammals
We have determined that several signaling pathways used for defense potentiation in soybean may have some counterparts in mammalian systems.
In research collaborations with scientists in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry here at Ohio State, we are investigating the nature of these potentially conserved signaling and signal transduction pathways. So far evidence suggests possible parallels in apoptotic cell death, estrogen-like and interleukin signaling pathways.
Shown at left is the soybean isoflavone genistein (the small grey structure with red hydroxy groups) binding to the human estrogen receptor ER-α.
Genistein is one of the most potent phytoestrogens. It mimics human estrogens by binding to both ER-α and ER-β and has promising anti-breast cancer activity.
Genistein is also a central signal in soybean for the potentiation of defense responses (pdf file). Interestingly, human estrogens such as estradiol also activate defense potentiation in soybean (pdf file), possibly by acting as a genistein mimic.