Asian Scientist (Oct. 17, 2013) – An international team of researchers led by scientists in Singapore has discovered how a ‘Jekyll-and-Hyde’ protein determines the life and death of cancer cells. By unraveling the mechanism that controls its function they have also discovered how to turn it into a weapon against cancer cells.
In their study, published in Molecular Cell, the scientists discovered how molecular flags, known as methylation marks, on the E2F protein can influence the growth properties of cells.
“E2F has been described as a ‘Jekyll-and-Hyde’ protein due to its ability to morph between pro-life and pro-death versions,” said Dr Shunsheng Zheng, the first author of the study.
Now, the researchers have found that the reprogramming of these molecular flags on the E2F protein could activate the “suicide machinery” in rapidly growing cancer cells.
Professor Nick La Thangue, who supervised the project, explained: “It’s like there’s an angel and a devil competing to get on each shoulder of the protein. Which one gets the upper hand is able to whisper in the ear of the protein and tell it what it should do.
“With the molecular flag on one shoulder, E2F goes into cell kill mode. With the flag on the other, it goes into cell growth mode.”
Their results have led to a better understanding of the molecular basis behind cancer growth and the information generated could prove vital to clinical applications, especially in the development of more effective anti-cancer drugs.
The article can be found at: Zheng et al. (2013) Arginine Methylation-Dependent Reader-Writer Interplay Governs Growth Control By E2F-1.
——
Source: A*STAR; Photo: snre/Flickr/CC.
Disclaimer: This article does not necessarily reflect the views of AsianScientist or its staff.
