Protein discovery helps treat colon cancer

The cells of the body produce the protein "myosin" at a constant rate. When they are exposed to the pathogen, they produce more and the secretion of a continuous and rapid secretion is controlled by calcium.

Researchers at the Spanish Genome Center (CRG), in order to understand how normal cells of myosin produce the required quantity and quality, have discovered a protein that can contribute to the development of a treatment allowing to correct myosin secretions in diseases causing dysfunction, colon cancer and respiratory diseases such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

In two studies published in E Life and Biochemistry, researchers have identified a protein called KChIP3 that detects calcium levels in healthy cells to release myosin, which is important for maintaining the correct thickness of the diaper mucosa in the colon and lungs.

The researchers discovered that the "KChIP3" calcium sensor is important for maintaining the proper thickness of the mucus layer. Thus, if this sensor is lost inside the cell, it releases large amounts of "myosin" from colon cancer cells.

In a study published Feb. 4, the research team said it was surprised by this finding in a study of mice. She discovered that without this gene, their mucus layer was thicker, which means that drugs designed to control diseases with higher or lower levels of myosin.

By studying different types of cells, they discovered that the treatment cells used to control the secretion of "myosin" were the same in the colon and in the airways.

"These results are interesting because they mean that the target protein responsible for the excretion of myosin can be used to treat diseases of the respiratory tract such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as colorectal diseases, "they said.

"Before moving on to this stage, we need to find patented ways to specifically manipulate the function of this protein, which can enable us to control the amounts of myocene," said Gérard Cantrot, a researcher at the Center for Al Ain. Which are secreted in healthy and pathological conditions ".

He pointed out that they would work to find this mechanism because there is no cure, so they must determine the mechanism of action of this protein, and then develop the complications that are occurring. follow up to reduce the external effects to the goal when one is working on diseases.

"We are always ready to cooperate with companies to produce new treatments based on this protein, which is an excellent opportunity for pharmaceutical companies to find new strategies to combat all these Myosin-related diseases, such as as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, "he said.