Bax-beta, an effective cancer cell killer
A protein capable of killing cancer cells has been discoveredDmitry Safin, Compulenta
The Bax gene, as scientists have long found out, plays a key role in triggering the mechanism of apoptosis – programmed cell death. The accumulated data indicated that this gene encodes several proteins, but until recently, researchers knew only one of them – Bax-alfa. The situation has changed with the publication of an article in the journal Molecular Cell, the authors of which – a group of specialists from the Institute of Molecular and Cellular Biology (Singapore) – report on the successful identification of the second protein, Bax-beta.
Illustration from the journal Molecular Cell: Bax-alfa and Bax-beta proteins in cancer cells. The first two images were obtained using different fluorescent labels; a combined version is shown on the right.
The researchers explain in some detail why Bax-beta has eluded the eyes of scientists for so long. "Our results indicate that it is almost impossible to register this protein in healthy cells: the influence of proteasomes affects," says Victor Yu, the scientific leader of the group. Recall that proteasomes destroy various proteins and thereby limit their levels. "That's the most interesting thing," Mr. Yu continues. "If we manage to slow down the process of inhibiting the activity of Bax–beta in cancer cells, they will probably die." The researchers also managed to establish that the effectiveness of Bax-beta on the mechanism of apoptosis is 100 times higher than this indicator for the related Bax-alfa, and the protein discovered by Singapore scientists may even contribute to the activation of its counterpart.
Scientists have high hopes for the development of new chemical compounds that will selectively activate Bax-beta or stimulate its interaction with Bax-alfa. Such drugs can significantly change the current practice of cancer treatment (in particular, they will reduce the doses of traditional drugs prescribed during the course of chemotherapy).
The full version of the article can be downloaded from the website of the journal Molecular Cell.
Prepared by the materials of Science Daily.
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