AMN
Scientists have identified a new way to slow down the growth of cancer cells, an advance that may lead to novel treatment options against the deadly disease. Researchers from the University of Rochester in the US identified a protein called Tudor-SN that is important in the “preparatory” phase of the cell cycle – the period when the cell gets ready to divide.
Reyad A. Elbarbary, lead study author said, Tudor-SN is more abundant in cancer cells than healthy cells, and the study suggests that targeting this protein could inhibit fast-growing cancer cells. According to senior study author,Lynne E Maquat, Tudor-SN influences the cell cycle by controlling microRNAs, molecules that fine tune the expression of thousands of human genes.
When Tudor-SN is removed from human cells, the levels of dozens of microRNAs go up. Boosting the presence of microRNAs puts the brakes on genes that encourage cell growth.