Effect of biotin upon gene expression and metabolism
Vilches-Flores, A.; Fernández-Mejía, C.
Revista de Investigacion Clinica; Organo del Hospital de Enfermedades de la Nutricion 57(5): 716-724
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0034-8376 PMID: 16419467 Document Number: 585132
During the last few decades, an increasing number of vitamin-mediated effects has been discovered at the level of gene expression in addition to their well-known roles as substrates and cofactors; the best recognized examples are the lipophilic vitamins A and D. Although little is known about water-soluble vitamins as genetic modulators, there are increasing examples of their effect on gene expression. Biotin is a hydro soluble vitamin that acts as a prosthetic group of carboxylases. Besides its role as carboxylase cofactor, biotin affects several systemic functions such as development, immunity and metabolism. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the identification of genes that are affected by biotin at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels as well as in the elucidation of mechanisms that mediate the effects of biotin on the gene expression. These studies bring new insights into biotin mediated gene expression and will lead to a better under-standing of biotin roles in the metabolism and in systemic functions.