PatIntNews

The researchers have found small molecules isolated from a garcinol fruit block the activity of a histone acetyltransferase( HAT ) enzyme ,results to faulty expressions of gene and protein synthesis resulting in diseases like Huntington disease, cardiac diseases, diabetes, AIDS and even cancer.

Garcinol, a complex organic compound from Garcinia indica, a fruit tree popularly known as Kokam. The two more molecules - isogarcinol (IG) and LTK14 are synthesized from garcinol.

The malfunctioning of HAT enzyme modifies histone protein, which with DNA makes chromatin, the building block of chromosomes

The inhibitory activity of all three molecules is tested on the basis of concentration against a specific HAT enzyme known as p300. The molecules results in changes in the enzyme structure. The research states for a given target like p300 , LTK14 is non-toxic and specific, compared to garcinol which is highly toxic and non-specific. The inhibitory nature of garcinol may lead to many off target effects deleterious to healthy cells.

"We have also shown that LTK14 does not kill the human T-cell, a type of white blood cell but dramatically represses the multiplication of HIV, targeting p300," says lead researcher Tapas Kundu. LTK14 can be a useful tool in probing p300, which is involved in diverse cellular processes, he concludes