How To Control The Spread Of Breast Cancer Cells

A team of researchers has found that controlling the levels of a type of tumor suppressor could potentially prevent the spread of breast cancer cells.

AsianScientist (Dec. 2, 2016) – Scientists in Singapore have found that controlling the levels of the TIP60 protein, which is a tumor suppressor, could potentially prevent the spread of breast cancer cells. Their work was published in the Journal of Molecular Cell Biology.

Specifically, the research team, led by Assistant Professor Sudhakar Jha from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore, discovered that TIP60 interacts with two other proteins called DNMT1 and SNAIL2 to inhibit the spread of cancer cells.

“In this study, we found that the absence of TIP60 raises the levels of DNMT1, resulting in the activation of SNAIL2 function. When this molecular program is turned on, epithelial cells—which protect or enclose organs—acquire migratory and invasive properties. This leads to the spreading of cancer cells. Understanding this mechanism holds the important key to suppressing the migration of cancer cells,” explained first author Mr. Zhang Yanzhou.

This is an important discovery for breast cancer patients with poor survival prognoses. It was previously found that TIP60 levels in these patients are low, thus reducing their defense against cancer cell metastasis. The team’s discovery may also have important implications for other cancers, as patients with colon and cervical cancers have also been found to have irregular TIP60 levels. Hence, the direction of this study may open doors to potential treatments of different types of cancers in the future.

According to Jha, this study provides important evidence that TIP60 levels could possibly serve as a prognostic marker of breast cancer progression, and the stabilization of TIP60 could be a promising strategy to treat cancers. He noted that the team is currently developing inhibitors which can increase TIP60 levels and in turn, prevent the spread of cancer.


The article can be found at: Zhang et al. (2016) TIP60 Inhibits Metastasis by Ablating DNMT1−SNAIL2-driven Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Program.

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Source: National University of Singapore; Photo: Shutterstock.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.

Asian Scientist Magazine is an award-winning science and technology magazine that highlights R&D news stories from Asia to a global audience. The magazine is published by Singapore-headquartered Wildtype Media Group.

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