Viscum album preparations inhibit DNA methylation by preventing DNA methyltransferase-induced methyl group transfer

ABSTRACT

Interactions between viscum album (Iscador) and DNA were studies by amplification of specific human pepsinogen A gene promoter sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Gel retardation assays showed no binding of Viscum album to these promoter sequences. Incubation of plasmid constructs consisting of human pepsigen A promoter fragments coupled to thechloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) reporter gene with Iscador had no effect on transcriptional activity. Promoter sequences incubated with Iscador became insensitive to methylation by specific DNA methyltransferases by destruction of DNA methyltransferase activity