New protein may lead to novel treatment options for cancer and birth defects. An artificial G protein prevents malignant properties of cancer cells.
Highlights:
An artificial protein that may block malignant properties of cancer cells as well as correct certain birth defects has been developed by a research team.
Man-made protein to combat cancer and birth defects- A new protein may prevent malignant properties of cancer cells.
- It also reduces developmental defects.
- This new protein is made from a natural G protein.
The team started with a natural G protein, removed some parts and changed some others to create a new protein that binds very tightly to a family of G protein activators while losing the ability to bind to any other known partner. Using this approach they created a protein that specifically inhibits a family of G protein activators without affecting any other component of the cellular machinery. Then they introduced it in cancer cells and observed that it can prevent their malignant properties by selectively inhibiting G protein activators. Similarly, when they introduced the engineered protein in an experimental model, it blunted developmental defects induced by a G protein activator.
About Brain Tumor
Brain tumors are the abnormal growth of brain cells that may be benign or metastatic. Brain tumors account for about 2.4% of all the tumor diagnosesandare most challenging due to their critically delicate location.
Brain tumors are the abnormal growth of brain cells that may be benign or metastatic. Brain tumors account for about 2.4% of all the tumor diagnosesandare most challenging due to their critically delicate location.
‘Targeting a novel family of G protein regulators that are known to contribute to the development of cancer and the appearance of birth defects may provide better treatment options.’
These findings may lead to identifying new molecular targets suitable for therapeutic intervention. Natural G proteins may contribute to the development of cancer
Cells in the human body need to communicate with each other to function properly. This is accomplished by a molecular mechanism called signal transduction and its dysregulation leads to human disease. A group of molecules called G proteins act as a signaling mechanism that enables cells to change their behavior when they are activated by surface receptors.
According to the researchers, the G proteins can be activated via alternative mechanisms independent of surface receptors that also impact normal cell behavior and pathogenesis. Unfortunately, there are no efficient tools to investigate these alternative G protein activators and learn how to tackle their aberrant behavior in disease, until now.
Brain Tumor in Children - Types, Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
An abnormal growth of cells in the brain is called brain tumor. Most tumors arise within the brain (primary). They can be benign or cancerous.
An abnormal growth of cells in the brain is called brain tumor. Most tumors arise within the brain (primary). They can be benign or cancerous.
"We have engineered an artificial protein that when expressed in cells can specifically blunt receptor-independent G protein activation and subsequent changes in cell behavior. We implemented this to block malignant properties of cancer cells and to correct birth defects associated with the aberrant dysregulation of cellular communication," explained corresponding author Mikel Garcia-Marcos, Ph.D, associate professor of biochemistry at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM).
"Our findings provide the proof of principle to target a novel family of G protein regulators that are known to contribute to the development of cancer and the appearance of birth defects.
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Auditory Tumor or Acoustic neuroma is a benign growth that arises on the vestibular cochlear nerve. It is not a cancer. Read more on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
Auditory Tumor or Acoustic neuroma is a benign growth that arises on the vestibular cochlear nerve. It is not a cancer. Read more on the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.
References:
- Anthony Leyme, Arthur Marivin et al. Specific inhibition of GPCR-independent G Protein Signaling by a Rationally Engineered Protein, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences doi: 10.1073/pnas.1707992114
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