Newly identified protein helps cancer cells against nutrient deficiency
Just recently it was reported that one of researchers discovered protein opens up new insights into infections, hereditary diseases and cancer. A study has now shown that this protein enables cancer cells to switch to alternative food sources.
Malignant tumors are often poorly connected to the blood supply, which is why cancer cells often suffer from a lack of nutrients. Under these conditions, they ensure their own survival by switching to alternative food sources such as proteins. Researchers have now identified a protein that enables the cancer cells to make this switch. The discovery, reported in the journal “Science“ is reported, could show a way to starve cancer cells.
Switch to alternative sources of nutrients when you are hungry
When sufficient nutrients are available from the blood, the cells of the human body import free amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, into a current as a preferred food Message of the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ).
But tumors are often insufficiently supplied with blood, which means that few nutrients are available to the cancer cells. The cells can react to this with metabolic adjustments and in the event of starvation alternative sources of nutrients switch.
According to the experts, under these conditions they use the breakdown of proteins from their environment as a source of food. However, the mechanisms by which cancer cells achieve this are only insufficiently researched.
Genetic components of signaling pathways
To the molecular steps involved in this metabolic adaptation scientists from the DKFZ in Heidelberg and the Research Institute for Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna have joined forces to understand them better.
The researchers examined cancer cells under strictly controlled nutrient conditions amino acid deficiency imitated that which occurs in many tumors.
With the “Gene Scissors” CRISPR-Cas9 the researchers switched off the expression of almost all genes in the genome individually. In this way, the scientists were able to identify the genetic components of the signaling pathways involved in switching to the new nutrient source.
The experts discovered a previously uncharacterized one Genwhich is required for survival only when the cancer cells feed on extracellular proteins.
This gene provides the blueprint for the membrane protein “THE LIGHT” (Lysosomal Enzyme Trafficking Factor), which has been shown to be crucial for lysosome function. The small cell structures serve as the cell’s stomach and digest proteins.
Dramatic Effects
According to the information, LYSET turned out to be the core component of the so-called Mannose-6-phosphate pathway out, which is necessary for the filling of the lysosomes with digestive enzymes.
If LYSET is missing, the cancer cells lack the enzymes in theirs Lysosomen and they are no longer able to switch nutrient sources.
This has dramatic effects on the growth of tumors: in mice in which cancer was induced, the researchers were able to show that a loss of LYSET tumor development severely slowed down.
“With LYSET we have one central component discovered a metabolic pathway that allows cancer cells to adapt to different nutrients. This is their key ability to survive and thrive in a sparse tumor environment.”says Wilhelm Palm from the DKFZ.
“That’s what makes the discovery so exciting”says Johannes Zuber from the IMP. “LYSET and the mannose-6-phosphate pathway turn out to be particularly important for cancer cells and could therefore be a molecular target to address an important metabolic bottleneck in cancer therapeutic to attack.” (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- German Cancer Research Center: Newly identified protein enables cancer cells to switch to alternative food sources (accessed: September 11, 2022), German Cancer-research center
- Catarina Pechincha, Sven Groessl, Robert Kalis, Melanie de Almeida, Andrea Zanotti, Marten Wittmann, Martin Schneider, Rafael P. de Campos, Sarah Rieser, Marlene Brandstetter, Alexander Schleiffer, Karin Müller-Decker, Dominic Helm, Sabrina Jabs, David Haselbach , Marius K. Lemberg, Johannes Zuber, Wilhelm Palm: Lysosomal enzyme trafficking factor LYSET enables nutritional usage of extracellular proteins; in: Science, (published: 08.09.2022), Science
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.