Can we get a "two for one" when treating cancer?
A new drug discovered at Emory University can stop the interaction between two proteins that drive cancer!
The two compounds are MDM2, a pro-survival proteinOne of the four basic types of biomolecule. Proteins are polymers made up of strings of amino acids. Proteins serve many functions in organisms including transport of molecules, structure, cell adhesion and as signaling molecules such as hormones. Many transcription factors, including p53 and Rb are proteins. that is over-expressed in many cancer cells, and XIAP, another protein that stops programmed cell death (apoptosisAlso called programmed cell death. Apoptosis is a natural process that occurs throughout the lives of almost all animals and plants. The death of the cells is a carefully controlled process that does not generate any inflammation.). Interactions between proteins are not often targeted with drugs because of their complexity. However, Gu and his colleagues have found a way to target this interaction in order to combat cancer!
Top