Abstract
Vitamin E is composed of closely related compounds, including tocopherols and tocotrienols. Studies of the last decade provide strong support for a specific role of alpha-tocopherol in cell signalling and the regulation of gene expression. It produces significant effects on inflammation, cell proliferation and apoptosis that are not shared by other vitamin E isomers with similar antioxidant properties. The different behaviours of vitamin E isomers might relate, at least in part, to the specific effects they exert at the plasma membrane. alpha-Tocopherol is not randomly distributed throughout the phospholipid bilayer of biological membranes, and as compared with other isomers, it shows a propensity to associate with lipid rafts. Distinct aspects of vitamin E transport and metabolism is discussed with emphasis on the interaction between alpha-tocopherol and lipid rafts and the consequences of these interactions on cell metabolism.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / metabolism
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Antioxidants / metabolism
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Biological Transport
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Cell Membrane / metabolism
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Humans
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Intestinal Absorption
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LDL-Receptor Related Proteins / metabolism
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Liver / metabolism
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Membrane Microdomains / metabolism
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Peptide Fragments / metabolism
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Protein Precursors / metabolism
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Receptors, LDL / metabolism
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Vitamin E / metabolism*
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alpha-Tocopherol / metabolism*
Substances
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 2
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ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Member 3
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ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters
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Antioxidants
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LDL-Receptor Related Proteins
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Peptide Fragments
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Protein Precursors
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Receptors, LDL
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TAP1 protein, human
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thyrotropin-releasing hormone-associated peptide 3, human
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Vitamin E
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TAP2 protein, human
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alpha-Tocopherol