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Genetic research

Researchers from National Institutes of Health Sciences Detail Findings in Biochemistry and Biophysics

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health Sciences in Japan have made a significant discovery regarding the effects of carminic acid on gene expressions under epigenetic regulation. According to a study published in the Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, carminic acid, an anthracene derivative used as a food additive, has the potential to alter the epigenetic state of the genome. This finding suggests that carminic acid may affect cellular processes beyond its intended use as a food coloring.

Key Takeaways:

  • Carminic acid, an anthracene derivative used as a food additive, has been found to alter the epigenetic state of the genome.
  • The study, led by Kei-ichi Sugiyama, was conducted at the National Institutes of Health Sciences in Japan.
  • The research used FLO reporter assays to detect the expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae FLO1 gene, which mediates flocculation phenotype influenced by epigenetic regulation.
  • The study found that 5-20 mM carminic acid induced the FLO1 promoter in wild-type yeast as well as in yeast transformed with human DNA methyltransferase genes, in the absence of rat liver homogenates.
  • Carminic acid was also found to decrease the expression of Oct3/4, which is also under epigenetic regulation, and induced slight morphological changes in mouse embryonic stem cell line EB3.
  • The research suggests that carminic acid may have the potential to affect cellular processes beyond its intended use as a food coloring.
  • The study was financially supported by Japan Food Chemical Research Foundation, Grants-in-aid For Scientific Research, and Japan Society For The Promotion of Science.

Statistics:

  • The study found that 5-20 mM carminic acid induced the FLO1 promoter in wild-type yeast as well as in yeast transformed with human DNA methyltransferase genes.
  • The study also found that carminic acid decreased the expression of Oct3/4 by 10-15% in mouse embryonic stem cell line EB3.
  • The study used FLO reporter assays to detect the expression of Saccharomyces cerevisiae FLO1 gene, which mediates flocculation phenotype influenced by epigenetic regulation.
  • The study was conducted at the National Institutes of Health Sciences in Japan.
  • The research found that carminic acid induced slight morphological changes in mouse embryonic stem cell line EB3.

Sources:

  • Effects of carminic acid on gene expressions under epigenetic regulation. Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports, 2025,43():102070.
  • Life Science Weekly. September 9, 2025; p 4592.
  • National Institutes of Health Sciences.

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