Scientists at The University of Manchester have discovered that a previously known gene also helps cells divide normally and that its absence can cause tumours.
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has previously been shown to have a role in cell development, immune response and metabolism. It is found in almost every cell in the body. Many widely used drugs, including prednisolone, act through this protein.
The research from Manchester, to be published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), showed a new role for GR after the scientists reduced its expression.
They found that in cells lacking GR, cell division was disrupted, with errors in chromosomes appearing. As chromosome errors are a feature of cancer they reduced GR expression in mice, and observed an increase in tumours as they aged. Further analysis showed that the tumours had even less GR than the surrounding normal tissue.
Professor David Ray, from the University's Institute of Human Development, led the research. He said: "Cancer is caused by cell division going wrong, but no one has previously looked at the role GR has to play in this process. It's now clear that it is vital."
They studied several common human cancers including liver, lung, prostate, colon and breast - to reveal that reduced GR expression is a common feature in certain cancer cell types, suggesting an important relationship between GR and malignant progression and that the GR can act as a tumour suppressor.
Lead author Laura Matthews added: "We do need to add more research to these findings, but this new mechanism adds a lot more to our knowledge of how cancers form, and with that knowledge we're much better equipped to develop new treatments which could eventually be used in humans."
Explore further: Google-style ranking used to describe gene connectivity
More information: The glucocorticoid receptor regulates accurate chromosome segregation and is associated with malignancy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, http://ift.tt/1JgKuoR
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Scientists at The University of Manchester have discovered that a previously known gene also helps cells divide normally and that its absence can cause tumours.
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has previously been shown to have a role in cell development, immune response and metabolism. It is found in almost every cell in the body. Many widely used drugs, including prednisolone, act through this protein.
The research from Manchester, to be published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), showed a new role for GR after the scientists reduced its expression.
They found that in cells lacking GR, cell division was disrupted, with errors in chromosomes appearing. As chromosome errors are a feature of cancer they reduced GR expression in mice, and observed an increase in tumours as they aged. Further analysis showed that the tumours had even less GR than the surrounding normal tissue.
Professor David Ray, from the University's Institute of Human Development, led the research. He said: "Cancer is caused by cell division going wrong, but no one has previously looked at the role GR has to play in this process. It's now clear that it is vital."
They studied several common human cancers including liver, lung, prostate, colon and breast - to reveal that reduced GR expression is a common feature in certain cancer cell types, suggesting an important relationship between GR and malignant progression and that the GR can act as a tumour suppressor.
Lead author Laura Matthews added: "We do need to add more research to these findings, but this new mechanism adds a lot more to our knowledge of how cancers form, and with that knowledge we're much better equipped to develop new treatments which could eventually be used in humans."
Explore further: Google-style ranking used to describe gene connectivity
More information: The glucocorticoid receptor regulates accurate chromosome segregation and is associated with malignancy, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, http://ift.tt/1JgKuoR
Medical Xpress on facebook
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Google-style ranking used to describe gene connectivity
Using the technique known as "Gene Rank" (GR), Dartmouth's Norris Cotton Cancer Center investigator Eugene Demidenko, PhD, captured and described a new characterization of gene connectivity in "Microarray ...
Steroid hormone receptor prefers working alone to shut off immune system genes
Researchers at Emory University School of Medicine have obtained a detailed molecular picture that shows how glucocorticoid hormones shut off key immune system genes.
Epigenomics analysis reveals surprising new clues to insulin resistance
In studying the cellular structure and function of insulin, a research team led by investigators at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) has uncovered previously unknown steps in the development of ...
Tumour-blocking role found for cell regulation molecule
Manchester scientists have explored the role of a protein in regulating tumour development and found that it suppresses liver cancer growth in the lab.
Black holes and the dark sector explained by quantum gravity
Ask any theoretical physicist on what are the most profound mysteries in physics and you will be surprised if she mentions anything other than Quantum Gravity and the Dark Sector. Questions such as how do ...
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Blocking key 'survival' proteins is a promising tactic for treating cancer, however new research suggests care should be taken as these proteins are also vital for emergency blood cell production.
Childhood cancer survivors face chronic health problems
The number of childhood cancer survivors in the U.S. has increased, but the majority of those who have survived five or more years after diagnosis face chronic health problems related to their treatment, according to a new ...
Origin of cancer wasting identified in fruit flies
The progressive wasting of muscle and fat tissue throughout the body is one of the most visible and heartbreaking manifestations of cancer, yet little is known about how tumors cause distant tissues to degenerate. ...
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Therapeutic anti-cancer vaccines developed to treat metastatic disease such as advanced prostate cancer or melanoma rarely have a noticeable effect on the tumor but have been associated with a statistically ...
erythropoietin combined with radiation therapy does not improve local-regional control in anemic patients
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