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A new molecule induces cancer-killing protein

A new molecule induces cancer-killing protein

Scientists at the University of Kentucky in Lexington have identified a new molecule. The molecule named Arylquin 1 induces Par-4, a protein that functions as a tumor suppressor. The findings are published in Nature Chemical Biology.

Normal cells excrete little quantities of Par-4, but this dose is insufficient to kill cancer cells. It turns out that tumors expand when Par-4 is suppressed. 

This study shows that little quantities of Arylquin 1 induce Par-4 without damaging normal cells. Another protein involved in metastasis is called vimentin, which seems to bind to Arylquin 1 and prevents Par-4 from inducing. According to professor Vivek Rangnekar, associate director from the UK Markey Cancer Center, vimentin functions as a Par-4 suppressor. 

Metastasis of cancer cells can be stopped when it is possible to use medication on a molecular scale against proteins like vitamin. Par-4 should do its job as a tumor suppressor when administering medication to target vimentin and to retain metastasis.

The results will have an impact on the development of cancer treatments. The scientists are planning to create a medicine from Aryquin 1 to suppress primary tumors and metastasis of cancer cells.

Source: Nature Chemical Biology.


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