So many options but one choice: the human body prefers alpha-tocopherol. A matter of stereochemistry

J Med Life. 2008 Oct-Dec;1(4):376-82.

Abstract

alpha-Tocopherol belongs to the group of vitamin E vitamers. Recent years findings indicate that alpha-tocopherol is more than just a simple fat-soluble anti-oxidant as it was found that it can also regulate gene expression. From all vitamin E vitamers human body preferentially retains alpha-tocopherol, but the reasons for this preference are still elusive. Different studies indicated that human body, through the action of two hepatic proteins, alpha-tocopherol transfer protein (alpha-TTP) and cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2), is able to make subtle structural differences between different vitamin E forms. This is an example of stereochemistry used as a discrimination factor between molecules with different biological activities.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / metabolism
  • Cytochrome P450 Family 4
  • Humans
  • Stereoisomerism
  • alpha-Tocopherol / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Carrier Proteins
  • alpha-tocopherol transfer protein
  • Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System
  • Cytochrome P450 Family 4
  • CYP4F2 protein, human
  • alpha-Tocopherol