Cold Virus Proteins Give New Clues For Cancer Therapy

Summary

Scientists have recently studied the structure and function of proteins within cold viruses, especially one titled E4-ORF3, a cancer-causing protein. E4-ORF3 works by preventing the p53 tumor suppressor protein from binding to its target genes. P53 is an important cancer-preventer, it initiates cells with damaged DNA to “commit cell suicide.” Therefore, when E4-0RF3 assembles into a web-like design, the cancer cells duplicate and spread. The web-like design is unusual for most polymer-forming proteins, who typically align in rigid chains. This unique structure is what makes it so unpredictable because it can change shapes and sizes. New technology has revealed information that led to an experiment in which they could conclude that when E4-0RF3 was combined with lamin, it reacted in such a way that it actually disrupted cancer cells that previously were duplicating freely. With this new information, scientists hope to create a drug that can assist in stopping the spread of cancer cells.

 Relevance

This article is relevant to our unit because it first includes cancer research, and how cancer cells work. It also discusses the importance of cell structure, including how proteins function and their importance especially as a polymer. And thirdly, microscope technology rapidly improved between the 1800’s and 1900’s, but even now, it is clear how big of a role technological improvements have on health like cancer.

Author: Catharine Paddock

Published: 18 October 2012

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/251671.php