@article{89833da9598c4841ab6c151f693a93c2,
title = "A Novel, Stable, Estradiol-Stimulating, Osteogenic Yam Protein with Potential for the Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome",
abstract = "A novel protein, designated as DOI, isolated from the Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) could be the first protein drug for the treatment of menopausal syndrome and an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is known to have undesirable side effects. DOI is an acid- and thermo-stable protein with a distinctive N-terminal sequence Gly-Ile-Gly-Lys-Ile-Thr-Thr-Tyr-Trp-Gly-Gln-Tyr-Ser-Asp-Glu-Pro-Ser-Leu-Thr-Glu. DOI was found to stimulate estradiol biosynthesis in rat ovarian granulosa cells; induce estradiol and progesterone secretion in 16- to 18-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats by upregulating expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and ovarian aromatase; counteract the progression of osteoporosis and augment bone mineral density; and improve cognitive functioning by upregulating protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and TrkB receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, DOI did not stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer and ovarian cancer cells, which suggest it could be a more efficacious and safer alternative to HRT. ",
author = "{Lok Wong}, Kam and {Ming Lai}, Yau and Li, {Ka Wan} and {Fai Lee}, Kai and Ng, {Tzi Bun} and {Pan Cheung}, Ho and {Bo Zhang}, Yan and Lixing Lao and Wong, {Ricky Ngok Shun} and {Chui Shaw}, Pang and {Ho Wong}, Jack and Zhang, {Zhang Jin} and Lam, {Jenny Ka Wing} and Ye, {Wen Cai} and Sze, {Stephen Cho Wing}",
note = "Funding Information: This study was partially supported by grants from the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) of the Innovation and Technology Commission, Government of Hong Kong SAR (project no ITS/262/09FP) and Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research, the University of Hong Kong (project codes: 200707176177, 201011159213). We thank the collaborating organizations, Oriental International Health Products Company Limited and Ma Sai Leung Tong Medicine Manufacturing Limited, for their participation in the Innovation and Technology Fund project. We also thank Centre for Genomic Sciences, the University of Hong Kong for their proteomics and mass spectrometry technical support, and Liang ZHANG, Shi Wei WANG, Ronald Yiu Lung WONG, David Chun Wai IP and Jia LU for their technical assistance. Publisher copyright: {\textcopyright} 2015, The Author(s)",
year = "2015",
month = jul,
day = "10",
doi = "10.1038/srep10179",
language = "English",
volume = "5",
journal = "Scientific Reports",
issn = "2045-2322",
publisher = "Nature Publishing Group",
}
