Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: EC:3.2.1.21 (beta-glucosidase)
 3,280 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The evidence for the claims that laetrile (amygdalin) can prevent or control cancers has been reviewed. The beta-glucosidase content of cancer tissues is low compared to that of normal liver and small intestine. Cancer tissues contain the enzyme rhodanese in amounts comparable to that of liver and kidney and hence, cannot be attacked selectively by cyanide release through beta-glucosidase action on amygdalin. Amygdalin does not have the properties of a vitamin. Rats have been reared for several generations on diets devoid of cyanogenic glycosides, without developing neoplasms. Experiments with tumor-bearing rodents have demonstrated no curative properties by amygdalin administration. Amygdalin is not as non-toxic as claimed, particularly when ingested orally, and especially when taken with plant material high in beta-glucosidase. The claims for cure and control of cancers in humans have been refuted by distinguished physicians who specialize in the treatment of cancer patients. The writings of laetrile proponents are filled with erroneous and absurd statements. The propaganda for the doctrine of "freedom of choice in cancer treatment" deludes many individuals with treatable cancer to reject proven methods of treatment.
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PMID:The case against laetrile: the fraudulent cancer remedy. 698 71

Many different proteins can be separated from the sap of mature sieve tubes of different plant species. To date, only a limited number of those have been identified and functionally characterised. Due to sieve tubes inability of transcription and translation, the proteins are most probably synthesised in the intimately connected companion cells and transported into the sieve elements through plasmodesmata. The specific protein composition of phloem sap suggests an important role of these proteins not only for sieve tube maintenance, but also for whole plant physiology and development. Here we describe a comprehensive analysis of the phloem protein composition employing one- and high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and partial sequencing by mass spectrometry. In this study more than 300 partial sequences generated by hybrid mass spectrometry were used to identify a total of 45 different proteins from the phloem exudates of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L. cv. Hoffmanns Giganta) and pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima Duch. cv. Gelber Zentner) plants. In addition to previously described phloem proteins, it was possible to localise proteins with high similarity to an acyl-CoA binding protein, a glyoxalase, a malate dehydrogenase, a rhodanese-like protein, a drought-induced protein, and a beta-glucosidase. The results indicate that the majority of the so far identified proteins are involved in stress and defence reactions.
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PMID:Proteomics of curcurbit phloem exudate reveals a network of defence proteins. 1527 38