Research lead
A team of researchers led by Heiko Hermeking of the Institute of Pathology, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany, has determined the precise mechanism whereby the oncogene c-MYC promotes proliferation of tumour cells.
The researchers have demonstrated that c-MYC activates the AP4 gene, resulting in the synthesis of AP4 protein, which in turn suppresses the formation another protein, p21, a key inhibitor of cellular division.
As a result of this mechanism tumours are able to develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs that work by blocking cell division. In addition, the scientists discovered that colorectal tumours, in contrast to normal colon tissue, produce large amounts of AP4 protein. They say the detailed knowledge about this signalling cascade throws up a number of potential drug targets for cancer therapies.
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