(Press-News.org) Researchers at the Hospital de Mar Research Institute (IMIM) have discovered that the protein LOXL2 has a function within the cell nucleus thus far unknown. They have also described a new chemical reaction of this protein on histone H3 that would be involved in gene silencing, one of which would be involved in the progression of breast, larynx, lung and skin tumours.
Led by Dr Sandra Peiró and published in Molecular Cell journal, the study is a significant advance in describing the evolution of tumours and opens the door to researching new treatments that block their activity. "LOXL2's action on the intra-cellular level and its interaction with histone H3 stimulates tumour growth. The fact that the protein LOXL2 is an enzyme and is overly expressed in many types of cancer makes it a very good therapeutic target. Now that we know how it acts, we need to keep working to develop chemical inhibitors that counteract its activity", the researcher explained.
Previous studies had identified the extra-cellular function of the protein LOXL2, and it was being studied as a possible therapeutic target for avoiding metastasis in certain kinds of tumours. However, this study has described the presence of this protein at the level of the cell nucleus for the first time.
The process of gene expression in cells consists of transforming the information of the DNA into the proteins necessary to carry out different functions. The DNA molecule has been found to form a certain structure due to its interaction with some proteins called histones. When these histones are modified, the structure of the DNA is also modified and the final result is the expression or non-expression of a certain group of genes.
In the case of tumour cells, the protein LOXL2 acts upon one of these histones (histone H3) and modifies it, eliminating the lysine 4 amino group, a change never described before. As a result of its action, the genes modulated by histone H3, modified by LOXL2, stop expression, preventing the cells from behaving normally and favouring tumour development.
The work of Sandra Peiró's team is the conclusion of three years of effort focused on the biochemical characterisation of the protein LOXL2 and the study of its role in the modification of histone H3. Since this modification had never been described before, the data obtained open many lines of research. The location on the genomic level of the protein LOXL2 and histone H3, modified by LOXL2, and the possible existence of some enzyme that might neutralise its function, are two of the questions that the group aims to tackle in the years to come.
INFORMATION:
Reference work
"Lysyl Oxidase-Like 2 (LOXL2) deaminates lysine 4 in Histone H3" Nicolás Herranz, Natàlia Dave, Alba Millanes-Romera, Lluís Morey, Víctor M. Díaz, Víctor Lórenz-Fonfría, Ricardo Gutierrez-Gallego, Celia Jerónimo, Luciano Di Croce, Antonio García de Herreros, Sandra Peiró. MOLECULAR-CELL-D-11-01044R3.
New advances in the understanding of cancer progression
2012-04-13
[Attachments] See images for this press release:
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
Genetic adaptation of fat metabolism key to development of human brain
2012-04-13
About 300 000 years ago humans adapted genetically to be able to produce larger amounts of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This adaptation may have been crucial to the development of the unique brain capacity in modern humans. In today's life situation, this genetic adaptation contributes instead to a higher risk of developing disorders like cardiovascular disease.
The human nervous system and brain contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, and these are essential for the development and function of the brain. These Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids occur ...
Stem cells 'by default'
2012-04-13
Casanova's notion is that stem cells emerge not because of the presence of factors that confer capacity to the stem cell but because of factors that repress the cellular signals for differentiation and specialization. Casanova believes that somehow all non-differentiated cells intrinsically carry the qualities of the stem cell by default and that there are factors at work that remove these capacities. Said another way: a stem cell is a stem cell because it has evaded differentiation. According to Casanova, if the idea of "a stem cell by default" is considered, research ...
Gulf Coast residents say BP Oil Spill changed their environmental views, UNH research finds
2012-04-13
DURHAM, N.H. -- University of New Hampshire researchers have found that residents of Louisiana and Florida most acutely and directly affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster -- the largest marine oil spill in U.S. history -- said they have changed their views on other environmental issues as a result of the spill.
"If disasters teach any lessons, then experience with the Gulf oil spill might be expected to alter opinions about the need for environmental protection. About one-fourth of our respondents said that as a result of the spill, their views on other environmental ...
Biomarker family found for chemo resistant breast cancers
2012-04-13
Biomarkers which could help to predict resistance to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients have been identified by researchers from the University of Hull, UK.
The researchers found a family of proteins to be twice as prevalent in clinical samples obtained from breast cancer patients who were resistant to chemotherapy than those who were successfully treated.
Chemotherapy resistance is a major problem for some types of breast cancer and many patients undergo treatment that does not work, delaying other more suitable treatments and subjecting the patient to adverse ...
ALMA reveals workings of nearby planetary system
2012-04-13
The discovery was made possible by exceptionally sharp ALMA images of a disc, or ring, of dust orbiting Fomalhaut, which lies about 25 light-years from Earth. It helps resolve a controversy among earlier observers of the system. The ALMA images show that both the inner and outer edges of the thin, dusty disc have very sharp edges. That fact, combined with computer simulations, led the scientists to conclude that the dust particles in the disc are kept within the disc by the gravitational effect of two planets — one closer to the star than the disc and one more distant [1].
Their ...
BMC study shows diverting passengers to elevators could help reduce falls at Logan Airport
2012-04-13
(Boston) – A first of its kind study conducted by researchers at Boston Medical Center (BMC)'s Injury Prevention Center (IPC) found that one fall requiring first responder emergency medical services response occurs, on average, approximately every 56 hours at Boston Logan International Airport, with 37 percent of those incidents involving transport to a hospital. The study, which was done at the request of the Massachusetts Port Authority and Massport Fire/Rescue, concludes that diverting at-risk passengers from escalators to elevators could significantly reduce the number ...
Study finds significant skull differences between closely linked groups
2012-04-13
In order to accurately identify skulls as male or female, forensic anthropologists need to have a good understanding of how the characteristics of male and female skulls differ between populations. A new study from North Carolina State University shows that these differences can be significant, even between populations that are geographically close to one another.
The researchers looked at the skulls of 27 women and 28 men who died in Lisbon, Portugal, between 1880 and 1975. They also evaluated the skulls of 40 women and 39 men who died between 1895 and 1903 in the rural ...
Nowspeed Releases SEO Strategy White Paper
2012-04-13
Nowspeed, a top Internet marketing agency, has released a new search engine optimization (SEO) white paper entitled, How to Build a Winning SEO Strategy, written by President & Founder of Nowspeed, David Reske. The white paper explains how and why it is important for companies to incorporate a search engine optimization strategy to ensure a steady flow of new lead generation prospects.
Businesses will learn the efficiencies of SEO through 8 tips and best practices that will jumpstart your efforts to create a SEO friendly strategy that works. The goals of any SEO ...
Stoneflies mapped across Ohio, with implications for water quality and nature conservation
2012-04-13
Stoneflies, or Plecoptera, are insects that live in water during immature stages, but are terrestrial as adults. They are among the best bioindicators of river water quality and general landscape disturbance. Anglers often model their dry and wet flies (lures) after these insects.
Scientists at the University of Illinois and Western Kentucky University, funded by the USA National Science Foundation, have completed the first ever statewide assessment of stonefly diversity in Ohio. The study has been published in the open-access journal ZooKeys.
The team used over 30,000 ...
TeamSupport.com Recognized As An "Innovator" by Info-Tech Research Group
2012-04-13
TeamSupport.com (http://www.TeamSupport.com) - the popular provider of web-based customer support and help desk software solutions - has been recognized as an Innovator in Customer Service Management (CSM) and received high scores for Affordability and Strategy in a recent evaluation report conducted by Info-Tech Research Group titled "Vendor Landscape Plus: Customer Service Management Platforms."
"TeamSupport's product offers Help Desk and customer service capabilities, making them a more comprehensive solution for businesses," said Tim Hickernell, ...