Disclosure of the mechanism of action of mutations in cancer cells in some types of lymphoma
Members of the National Institute of Chemistry and the Centre of Excellence EN-FIST in cooperation with German colleagues from the University of Tübingen revealed the mechanism of action of mutations in cancer cells in some types of lymphoma. The study builds on the findings of American researchers four years ago that in certain types of lymphomas the mutation of protein MyD88 occurs.
Researchers of the National Institute of Chemistry have found that mutation is causing the mutated proteins to associate with each other, thereby triggering the signalling pathways, thereby preventing the destruction of cancer cells. To activate signalling pathway the mutation in only one of the two copies of the gene is sufficient, as the mutant form of MyD88 binds to the normal form of the protein and together they trigger activation. Furthermore the researchers examined the use of the peptide which prevents dimerization of the mutated protein in the cells, subsequently leading to apoptosis of the cancer cells. These results open the way for the development of drugs that would effectively destroy cancer cells.
Studies were performed on cells from patients and cells in which the gene mutation was inserted. Part of the study is based on molecular dynamics simulations of protein MyD88.
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Lymphoma-associated MyD88 mutants.