Genistein

Genistein is a phytoestrogen that exhibits a wide range of biological effects. It acts by competing for the ATP-binding site of tyrosine kinases but does not inhibit the activity of serine- and threonine-specific kinases such as cAMP-dependent protein kinase, protein kinase C, and phosphorylase kinase (Akiyama et al.). Genistein binds to and activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) and estrogen receptors, leading to a decrease in osteogenesis and an increase in adipogenesis (Dang et al.). Genistein also binds and activates the seven-transmembrane estrogen receptor GPR30 to activate alternative estrogen signaling pathways (Thomas & Dong).


DIFFERENTIATION

· Inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cell culture (Hwang et al.).
· Control of osteoblast and adipocyte cell fates in mouse bone marrow cells (Dang et al.).

CANCER RESEARCH

· Inhibits growth of leukemia, lymphoma, neuroblastoma, gastric, breast, and prostate cancer cells (Sarkar & Li).