Research lead
Scientists funded by the charity Cancer Research UK have discovered a protein RTEL1 that stops cells from becoming vulnerable to developing cancer by protecting cells from DNA rearrangements arising from incorrect DNA repair events, which can lead to the onset of cancer. They believe the protein could become a target for future cancer treatments.
When the RTEL1 protein is isolated from human cells, it is able to counteract DNA repair events in a test tube.
Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s director of cancer information, said, “Establishing RTEL1’s role in human cells allows us to start to think about how we might protect cells from DNA damage that is caused when this protein is amplified. This opens up the possibility for new avenues of drug development.”
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