Scientists from the University of Singapore, the University of Singapore, have found that SPRTN enzyme is a major mechanism to protect the body from age diseases and chemotherapy. The results of the study were published in the Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) magazine.
SPRTN is responsible for the destruction of DNA hazardous damage, so-called DNA protein cross links. Such defects are caused by ultraviolet light, chemotherapy or toxins, such as formaldehyde, and if they are not eliminated, the cell loses the ability to copy genetic information.
Scientists have shown that SPRTN recognizes the cruel, using a special "Radar", a passage that responds to the Ubikwitine chains. These molecules are dependent on the loss of signal flags. The longer the chain, the faster the enzyme begins. If the existence of Ubikwitin, the efficiency of SPRTN increases 67 times.
According to Professor Christian Ramadan, the understanding of this mechanism changes the idea of how the cells are protected from internal and external threats. Sprtn gene mutations are known to cause rare Rays-Alps syndrome, which is characterized by accelerated aging and high risk of early liver cancer.
The authors emphasize that the discovery is of practical importance. It opens the road to new methods of diagnosis of cancer and premature aging, as it predicts the weight of the side effects of chemotherapy in certain patients.
In addition, the improvement of SPRTN's work can reduce poisoning against cancer. If the enzyme is temporarily intensified during treatment in healthy tissues, it can decrease mutations and accelerated aging risk. Another prospect of tumors is the fight against drug resistance. If the cancer cells have learned to "remove" the traces of the Ubikvitin to avoid recognition, medications can be set up and restore the sensitivity to therapy.
Translation of: Euromedia24.com
