Finding a way to stop cancerous cells from spreading has been one of
science’s Achiles heel, but recently researchers at the University of
Southern California and New York University developed a molecule that stops cancer progression.
The molecule halts the interaction between two proteins known to
contribute to cancer growth by disguising itself as the surface of a
protein and then tricking other proteins into binding with it, stopping
the transcription of genetic information that could result in an
abnormal gene expression.
The ‘trickster’ is so efficient in targeting protein interactions that it didn’t produce any side effects when tested on mice.
The researchers explained in a news release that
targeting protein-protein interactions with drug-like molecules has
been a key goal in the field of cancer biology since 2008 – and they
have finally filed patent applications for the design.
Several pharmaceutical companies have shown interest in the product. We’ll keep you posted.
Culled from www.sciencealert.com/au
