IP6 (Inositol Hexaphosphate) as a Signaling Molecule

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6, InsP(6)) is a polyphosphorylated carbohydrate with diverse signaling properties. IP6 is plentiful in organisms as diverse as yeast, actinobacteria, mammals and plants. In the plant kingdom, IP6 accumulates during seed development; during germination it is broken down into lower inositol phosphates and micronutrients to maintain seedling. IP6 is the most abundant of the intracellular inositol phosphates in eukaryotes. In mammals IP6 maintains homeostasis, stores phosphate and acts as a strong anti-oxidant and neurotransmitter. IP6's rapid phosphate turnover properties justify its critical role in cellular pathways involved in signal transduction, control of cell proliferation and differentiation, RNA export, DNA repair, energy transduction and ATP regeneration. The health benefits of IP6 have been demonstrated to lower serum cholesterol level, normalize pathological platelet activity and prevent pathological calcification and kidney stone formation. It is also a potent antioxidant and immunity enhancer. However, it is the field of cancer prevention and therapy that may be the biggest career for IP6. In this review we present updated knowledge on signaling events caused by this fascinating, ubiquitous molecule that has numerous functions.