Anti-cancer protein Complex
A protein that prevents the development of brain cancer has been discovered
Sergey Kolenov, Hi-tech+
Researchers have found a mechanism that regulates the production of brain stem cells. Normally, it does not allow such cells to multiply too much, but its breakdown can provoke the development of cancer.
Stem cells repair damage to organs and tissues, but their excess increases the risk of cancer. The Notch molecular signal operating at the embryonic stage allows to regulate the number of stem cells.
Scientists know that abnormal Notch activity in the precursors of neurons increases the production of brain stem cells, which in turn can lead to the development of cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms that make it possible to neutralize such processes have so far remained unknown.
The researchers, whose work Eurek Alert tells about, decided to find an answer to this question. To do this, they conducted a genetic and biochemical analysis of neuroblasts (brain stem cells) in fruit fly larvae-fruit flies. In particular, they were interested in the work of the protein complex retromer, which returns proteins from the surface of the membrane vesicles of endosomes into the cell.
The study showed that the retromer reacts sensitively to an overabundance of the Notch protein and, if necessary, transfers the excess deep into the cell. However, if the protein complex is inactive, signaling molecules accumulate and stimulate the production of stem cells in excess.
A drosophila brain tumor caused by inactivation of a retromer (left) compared to the brain of a normal fly (right). A drawing from an article in eLife – VM.
So the retromer protects the body from the development of brain cancer, blocking the wrong pathways of development. The discovered mechanism can be used to develop new strategies for the treatment of brain cancer.
Article by Li et al. The retromer complex safeguards against neural progenitor-derived tumorigenesis by regulating notch receptor trafficking is published in the journal eLife – VM.
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