(Press-News.org) Contact information: Caroline Clancy
caroline.clancy@bristol.ac.uk
44-011-792-88086
University of Bristol
Manipulation of protein could help stop spread of cancer cells
DNA regulator stops cancer cells in their tracks
Understanding how and why cancer cells move away from their original location is important to find ways to stop the spread of the disease. New findings, published in the Nature journal Oncogene, reveal how a protein, called 'PRH', is normally able to prevent cells from unnecessary migration. It is likely that this protein is less effective in cancer cells allowing the cells to venture away.
Researchers from the Universities of Bristol and Birmingham, who have been studying breast and prostate cancer cells, show how manipulating PRH's levels in cancer cells can hinder their ability to penetrate into neighbouring environments, potentially preventing them from entering nearby blood vessels. The findings could lead to new ways of combating the spread of the disease in multiple cancers.
PRH belongs to a group of proteins known as 'transcription factors', meaning its role is to interact with DNA to 'switch' particular genes 'on' or 'off'. Scientists have been aware of PRHs' role in controlling cell growth and specification for some time. For example, it is essential for the healthy development of foetuses but this is the first time PRH has been implicated in the movement of cancer cells.
After growing normal and cancerous breast and prostate cells in the laboratory the team used genetic techniques to either increase or decrease PRH levels. The team then examined the cells and found that without PRH, the cells migrated much faster, and were able to invade through a porous gel more efficiently.
The researchers show that PRH is responsible for 'switching on' another protein called Endoglin, which has also been shown to be important in cell migration. The low levels of PRH found in cancer cells leads to low levels of Endoglin, and therefore results in increased cell migration and enhanced invasion. Interestingly, adding additional Endoglin to cancer cells with no PRH was sufficient to reduce their migration and invasion.
Dr Kevin Gaston, co-author of the study and Reader at Bristol's School of Biochemistry in the Faculty of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, said: "It is not simply the growth of cancers but their ability to move to multiple locations in the body that makes the disease so deadly. PRH transcription factor inhibits the migration of normal and cancerous breast cells and prostate cells and this represents a novel mechanism that could be important in multiple cancers."
Dr Padma-Sheela Jayaraman, co-author of the study and Senior Lecturer at the University of Birmingham, said: "Here we show for the first time that the PRH transcription factor inhibits the migration of normal and cancerous breast cells and prostate cells. This work reveals exciting new targets for future translational research."
Importantly, as this mechanism appears to apply to more than one cancer type, PRH regulation of Endoglin may represent a novel method for controlling migration that could potentially be exploited to treat multiple cancers.
Katherine Woods, Research Information Manager at Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "This interesting work has brought us another step closer to understanding how breast cancer cells move and spread around the body, and closer to knowing how we could stop this spread to help women outlive the disease. This research is all the more valuable because it could have implications for other cancers such as prostate and thyroid cancer, and some leukaemias."
###
The Breast Cancer Campaign-funded study is published in the journal Oncogene. A University of Bristol studentship and a MRC Studentship held at the University of Birmingham also helped fund this work.
Manipulation of protein could help stop spread of cancer cells
DNA regulator stops cancer cells in their tracks
2013-11-18
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Vismodegib in basal cell carcinoma: Added benefit not proven
2013-11-18
Vismodegib in basal cell carcinoma: Added benefit not proven
Hardly any patient-relevant outcomes were investigated/ studies without control groups
The drug vismodegib (trade name: Erivedge) is approved for the treatment of patients ...
Amber provides new insights into the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere
2013-11-18
Amber provides new insights into the evolution of the Earth's atmosphere
Scientists encounter big challenges when reconstructing atmospheric compositions in the Earth's geological past because of the lack of useable sample material. One of the few ...
Would an 'anti-ketamine' also treat depression?
2013-11-18
Would an 'anti-ketamine' also treat depression?
Yes, says a new study in Biological Psychiatry
Philadelphia, PA, November 18, 2013 – Thirteen years ago, an article in this journal first reported that the anesthetic medication, ketamine, showed evidence of producing ...
More than 600 ancient seals and amulets found
2013-11-18
More than 600 ancient seals and amulets found
Archaeologists from the Cluster of Excellence make an unusually large find in Turkey -- surprisingly vivid insights into the piety of the time
Classical scholars from the Cluster of Excellence "Religion ...
Nature: Single-atom bit forms smallest memory in the world
2013-11-18
Nature: Single-atom bit forms smallest memory in the world
This news release is available in German.
One atom equals one bit: According to this design principle, we would like to construct magnetic data memories in the future. Presently, a compound of several ...
First EU e-Inclusion map measures the potential for improved digital literacy
2013-11-18
First EU e-Inclusion map measures the potential for improved digital literacy
An EU-27 survey of intermediary organisations operating on the education, social and employment sectors and providing IT training has produced a first ever assessment ...
Cesarean delivery doesn't lower risk of cerebral palsy
2013-11-18
Cesarean delivery doesn't lower risk of cerebral palsy
Cesarean deliveries do not prevent children from developing cerebral palsy, despite long-held medical and community beliefs about the causes of cerebral palsy, according to new research ...
A study led by CNIO validates a new anti-cancer therapy based on cell division
2013-11-18
A study led by CNIO validates a new anti-cancer therapy based on cell division
The study confirms the therapeutic potential of inhibiting Aurora-A in cancer treatment
Aurora-A is a protein involved in the cell division process that is highly expressed ...
Spanish scientists are designing a robot for inspecting tunnels
2013-11-18
Spanish scientists are designing a robot for inspecting tunnels
Currently, maintenance and safety inspection of tunnels used for vehicular traffic is carried out by direct in situ observation. This process, which is slow and requires intensive labor, requires that traffic ...
Boredom research has now become more interesting
2013-11-18
Boredom research has now become more interesting
Researchers identify fifth type of tedium -- apathetic boredom
Being bored has just become a little more nuanced, with the addition of a fifth type of boredom by which to describe this emotion. The finding has been published ...
LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:
Cercus electric stimulation enables cockroach with trajectory control and spatial cognition training
Day-long conference addresses difficult to diagnose lung disease
First-ever cardiogenic shock academy features simulation lab
Thirty-year mystery of dissonance in the “ringing” of black holes explained
Less intensive works best for agricultural soil
Arctic rivers project receives “national champion” designation from frontiers foundation
Computational biology paves the way for new ALS tests
Study offers new hope for babies born with opioid withdrawal syndrome
UT, Volkswagen Group of America celebrate research partnership
New Medicare program could dramatically improve affordability for cancer drugs – if patients enroll
Are ‘zombie’ skin cells harmful or helpful? The answer may be in their shapes
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center presents research at AACR 2025
Head and neck, breast, lung and survivorship studies headline Dana-Farber research at AACR Annual Meeting 2025
AACR: Researchers share promising results from MD Anderson clinical trials
New research explains why our waistlines expand in middle age
Advancements in muon detection: Taishan Antineutrino Observatory's innovative top veto tracker
Chips off the old block
Microvascular decompression combined with nerve combing for atypical trigeminal neuralgia
Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry
Lung immune cell type “quietly” controls inflammation in COVID-19
Fiscal impact of expanded Medicare coverage for GLP-1 receptor agonists to treat obesity
State and sociodemographic trends in US cigarette smoking with future projections
Young adults drive historic decline in smoking
NFCR congratulates Dr. Robert C. Bast, Jr. on receiving the AACR-Daniel D. Von Hoff Award for Outstanding Contributions to Education and Training in Cancer Research
Chimpanzee stem cells offer new insights into early embryonic development
This injected protein-like polymer helps tissues heal after a heart attack
FlexTech inaugural issue launches, pioneering interdisciplinary innovation in flexible technology
In Down syndrome mice, 40Hz light and sound improve cognition, neurogenesis, connectivity
Methyl eugenol: potential to inhibit oxidative stress, address related diseases, and its toxicological effects
A vascularized multilayer chip reveals shear stress-induced angiogenesis in diverse fluid conditions
[Press-News.org] Manipulation of protein could help stop spread of cancer cellsDNA regulator stops cancer cells in their tracks