PGC-1α as a Biomarker of Physical Activity-Protective Effect on Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is a significant public health concern. As a multistage and multifactorial disease, environmental and genetic factors interact at each stage of the process, and an individual's lifestyle also plays a relevant role. We set out to review the scientific evidence to study the need to investigate the role of the gene as a biomarker of the physical activity's (PA) effect on colorectal cancer. PA is a protective factor against colorectal cancer and usually increases the expression of This gene has pleiotropic roles and is the main regulator of mitochondrial functions. The development of colorectal cancer has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction; in addition, alterations in this organelle are associated with colorectal cancer risk factors, such as obesity, decreased muscle mass, and the aging process. These are affected by PA acting, among other aspects, on insulin sensitivity and oxygen reactive species/redox balance. Therefore, this gene demands special attention in the understanding of its operation in the consensual protective effect of PA in colorectal cancer. A significant amount of indirect evidence points to PGC-1α as a potential biomarker in the PA-protective effect on colorectal cancer. The article focuses on the possible involvement of in the protective role that physical activity has on colorectal cancer. This is an important topic both in relation to advances in prevention of the development of this widespread disease and in its therapeutic treatment. We hope to generate an initial hypothesis for future studies associated with physical activity-related mechanisms that may be involved in the development or prevention of colorectal cancer. is highlighted because it is the main regulator of mitochondrial functions. This organelle, on one hand, is positively stimulated by physical activity; on the other hand, its dysfunction or reduction increases the probability of developing colorectal cancer. Therefore, we consider the compilation of existing information about the possible ways to understand the mechanisms of this gene to be highly relevant. This study is based on evidence of PGC-1α and physical activity, on PGC-1α and colorectal cancer, on colorectal cancer and physical activity/inactivity, and the absence of studies that have sought to relate all of these variables. .

Metabolic adaptations in spontaneously immortalized PGC-1α knock-out mouse embryonic fibroblasts increase their oncogenic potential

“…The basis of this effect seems to be related to the formation of pro-inflammatory intermediates by the enzyme COX-2 [62]. Importantly, Δ5 desaturase has also been linked to migration and invasion, while its downregulation increases E-cadherin levels, which could also possibly link the pathway to β-catenin [[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16], [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24], [25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35], [36], [37], [38], [39], [40], [41], [42], [43], [44], [45], [46], [47], [48], [49], [50], [51], [52], [53], [54], [55], [56], [57], [58], [59], [60], [61], [62], [63], [64], [65], [66], [67], [68], [69], [70], [71], [72], [73], [74], [75], [76], [77], [78], [79], [80], [81]] activity [63]. In contrast, there is no evidence that links desaturase activity...…”

Candidate genes involved in metastasis of colon cancer identified by integrated analysis

“…One of these biomarkers, CDX2, is a homeobox gene encoding transcriptional factors for intestinal organogenesis and has been confirmed to be a strong prognostic factor in stage II and III CRC . Additionally, peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC‐1α) can be used as a biomarker of physical activity–protective effect on colorectal cancer . MUC2 was also identified as a biomarker; low levels of MUC2 in CRC tissues predict a poor outcome independent of stage or other well‐–recognized markers of later–stage disease.…”

Effect of exercise on colorectal cancer prevention and treatment

“…Moreover, CRC development and risk factors such as obesity and aging are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction. In a recent study, it was shown that the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1α (PGC-1α), the major regulator of mitochondrial functions, may be a biomarker involved in the protective effect of physical activity in patients with CRC[128].…”