Researchers at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden, have identified a previously unknown mechanism that can control tumor growth in cultured cells and mice.
This discovery may allow the future development of new drugs against a range of cancer diseases.
In a research paper published in the journal Nature Communications, the Gothenburg scientists described their discovery. It is a protein that binds to genetic material and, as the researchers show, also controls the properties that regulate tumor development.
Forms of cancer
The protein, known as HnRNPK, binds to messenger RNA (mRNA), which is encoded by the two genes IER3 and IER3-AS1. These genes are highly active in various forms of cancer. By binding to the mRNA of these genes, HnRNPK prevents the formation of double-stranded RNA between them and keeps them apart.
Chandrasekhar Kanduri is a professor of medical genetics at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg and is one of the research leaders behind the study.
He said: “Keeping the RNA from these two genes separate promotes the growth of tumors that rely on growth factors. Without the HnRNPK protein, the tumor growth-promoting properties are neutralized, paving the way for drug development that block HnRNPK.”
The study also shows that, similarly, the HnRNPK protein binds to the mRNA of several other genes, preventing the formation of double-stranded RNA.
The discovery offers scope for indirectly influencing the growth factor FGF-2, which is well known to be key to both the process by which stem cells mature into various cell types and early embryonic development.
Fewer side effects
Meena Kanduri, associate professor (lecturer) of molecular medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, is the corresponding author of the article.
He said: “Given the crucial role of FGF-2 in normal human development, using drugs that directly target the growth factor would have too many side effects.
“The mechanism we have now identified is part of the same signaling chain, but further downstream. Therefore, the mechanism has the potential to become a more attractive cancer treatment option, with fewer side effects.”
Further research is needed to verify the transferability of the findings from the cell culture and mouse studies to humans. In the next stage, the group plans to conduct extensive studies to examine in more detail how the pair of genes regulated by FGF-2 govern the growth environment of tumors.