Cell division discovery could offer fresh insight into cancer
Published: Tuesday, January 14, 2014 - 15:35
in Biology & Nature
New findings on how the cells in our bodies are able to renew
themselves could aid our understanding of health disorders, including
cancer. Scientists have explained a key part of the process of cell
division, by which cells are able to keep our organs functioning
properly.
They discovered a set of proteins that stabilise the sequence of
events in which cells duplicate their DNA and then separate into two new
cells, each identical to the original. Flaws in this delicate, complex
operation can lead to cancer.
The findings help explain a fundamental process in all living things,
in which cells must continually divide to keep the organism alive and
well.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh found that a set of
proteins, known as the Ska complex, help anchor DNA, the form of
chromosomes, by interacting with strands of cell material. Chromosomes
remain attached to these strands as they are separated, in a process
that helps distribute DNA correctly to the newly formed cells.
Scientists determined the structure of the relevant part of the
protein complex by analysing crystals of it with lab tools and
cell-based experiments. This showed how the Ska complex attaches to the
strands, helping to bind the DNA material.
The study, published in Nature Communications, was carried
out in collaboration with the University of Basel, Technische
Universität Berlin, and the National Institute of Immunology in New
Delhi and funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Dr JP Arulanandam, of the University of Edinburgh's School of
Biological Sciences, who led the work, said: "Our findings represent a
milestone in resolving the mystery of how these key proteins enable new
cells to separate properly and equally, in this essential process for
life. The findings of our work have the potential to create new avenues
in drug discovery towards fighting cancer."
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