A scientist at Purdue University has found a key protein process that can lead to the formation of tumors.
Xiaoqi Liu, an assistant professor of Biochemistry, has claimed that an overabundance of the polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) molecule during cell growth, as well as a shortage of the p53 molecule, could lead to tumor formation.
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.
Advertisement
Laboratory experiments have revealed that the Plk1 molecule indirectly attacks p53 in a process called ubiquitination.
"This provides the mechanism for how p53 loses its function in cancer cells. If we understand how the cancer forms, then we can create a more useful therapeutic approach to treating that cancer," said Liu.
![Top Ten Facts About Brain Tumors]( "Top Ten Facts About Brain Tumors")
Quick valuable reference that enlists interesting facts about brain tumors.
At the time of cell growth, Plk1 uses its protein kinase activity called phosphorylation, which consists of adding a phosphate group to a protein called Topors, which binds itself to p53 molecules during the ubiquitination process.
Phosphorylation is basically an instruction from Plk1 to increase its ubiquitination activity, which kills p53 molecules.
According to Liu, p53 could be thought of as a protective force, which when gets destroyed by Topors, makes Plk1 stronger, allowing the cells to become cancerous.
"We're trying to understand how p53 is regulated. We want to keep p53 as normal as possible. In about 50 percent of cancers, p53 had lost its function, and there was too much Plk1. Since Plk1 is overexpressed in cancers, it is a cancer therapy target," said Liu.
Topors can also carry out a function called sumoylation, in which Topors binds to p53 molecules and creates more p53.
Liu could force cells in his lab to go through the ubiquitination or sumoylation process to show how p53 molecules were affected.
However, he said that they were still unclear as to why the Plk1 molecule chooses to initiate ubiquitination over sumoylation.
Liu said that the next step in the research would be to test different Plk1 inhibitors to see how they affect the phosphorylation process.
The study has been published in the early online publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Source: ANI
LIN
Top Ten Facts About Brain Tumors
Quick valuable reference that enlists interesting facts about brain tumors.
Advertisement
At the time of cell growth, Plk1 uses its protein kinase activity called phosphorylation, which consists of adding a phosphate group to a protein called Topors, which binds itself to p53 molecules during the ubiquitination process.
Phosphorylation is basically an instruction from Plk1 to increase its ubiquitination activity, which kills p53 molecules.
According to Liu, p53 could be thought of as a protective force, which when gets destroyed by Topors, makes Plk1 stronger, allowing the cells to become cancerous.
"We're trying to understand how p53 is regulated. We want to keep p53 as normal as possible. In about 50 percent of cancers, p53 had lost its function, and there was too much Plk1. Since Plk1 is overexpressed in cancers, it is a cancer therapy target," said Liu.
Topors can also carry out a function called sumoylation, in which Topors binds to p53 molecules and creates more p53.
Liu could force cells in his lab to go through the ubiquitination or sumoylation process to show how p53 molecules were affected.
However, he said that they were still unclear as to why the Plk1 molecule chooses to initiate ubiquitination over sumoylation.
Liu said that the next step in the research would be to test different Plk1 inhibitors to see how they affect the phosphorylation process.
The study has been published in the early online publication of the Journal of Biological Chemistry.
Source: ANI
LIN
Research Identify Biological Pathway Behind Children's Brain Tumour
Scientists have found that a biological pathway plays a role in the development of a type of brain tumour that predominantly occurs in children.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Cancer News
The mission of Axiom Space incorporated numerous experiments focusing on human stem cell aging, inflammation, and cancer within the laboratory situated in the low Earth orbit.
Providing a sustained supply of hydrogen sulfide to cancer cells, could be a remodeling strategy to improve photothermal therapy efficacy while minimizing side effects.
Colon cancer's hidden link revealed in microbiome study.
Breast cancer patients in the obese or overweight category can greatly benefit from a telephone-based weight management program in achieving significant weight loss.
A new study assessed the association of cigarette smoking and vaping on cancer-related symptom burden (fatigue, pain, emotional problems) and quality of life.