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20/01/2006
Cancer cell-death 'breakthrough' claimed by Queen's Professor
A Belfast researcher has claimed a major breakthrough in understanding the complex process of cell-death that could offer a means to halt cancer cells.
In conjunction with Professor Stephen Neidle of the London School of Pharmacy, Professor John Mann, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Queen's and McClay Chair of Biological Chemistry at the University, made an important breakthrough in understanding how cancer cells, which defy the normal cell-aging process, can be forced to 'fold-up' and eventually die.
Using synthesized compounds based on a plant historically used in African folk medicine, Professor Mann and his team have developed new molecules which can modify the shape of particular structures within cells. These structures, known as telomeres, are made of long repeated DNA structures and protect the ends of chromosomes.
The finding offers a clue to how the cell structure works within the human body, as Professor Mann explains: "With cells in the human body dividing about 20 times before they enter a process of ageing and eventually death, every time a cell divides a few of its telomere DNA repeats are lost. When too many are lost and the chromosome ends are in danger, a cell will start a process of 'cell suicide'.
"However, within the body, there are those cells which are supposed to divide a lot, such as stem cells. These possess a telomerase enzyme, which can repair the telomere, keeping it in its original format and size."
Recent research revealed that approximately 90% of cancer cells also possess the enzyme.
Professor Mann said the team were in the "early stages" of designing drugs that will alter the structure of the telomere, blocking the telomerase enzyme.
It is hoped that this breakthrough could be used to help hit the 'Achilles' heel' of fast dividing cancer cells.
Professor Mann's work is part of the larger effort taking place in the new £20 million Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's which is due to open in May 2007.
(SP/KMcA)
In conjunction with Professor Stephen Neidle of the London School of Pharmacy, Professor John Mann, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Queen's and McClay Chair of Biological Chemistry at the University, made an important breakthrough in understanding how cancer cells, which defy the normal cell-aging process, can be forced to 'fold-up' and eventually die.
Using synthesized compounds based on a plant historically used in African folk medicine, Professor Mann and his team have developed new molecules which can modify the shape of particular structures within cells. These structures, known as telomeres, are made of long repeated DNA structures and protect the ends of chromosomes.
The finding offers a clue to how the cell structure works within the human body, as Professor Mann explains: "With cells in the human body dividing about 20 times before they enter a process of ageing and eventually death, every time a cell divides a few of its telomere DNA repeats are lost. When too many are lost and the chromosome ends are in danger, a cell will start a process of 'cell suicide'.
"However, within the body, there are those cells which are supposed to divide a lot, such as stem cells. These possess a telomerase enzyme, which can repair the telomere, keeping it in its original format and size."
Recent research revealed that approximately 90% of cancer cells also possess the enzyme.
Professor Mann said the team were in the "early stages" of designing drugs that will alter the structure of the telomere, blocking the telomerase enzyme.
It is hoped that this breakthrough could be used to help hit the 'Achilles' heel' of fast dividing cancer cells.
Professor Mann's work is part of the larger effort taking place in the new £20 million Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology at Queen's which is due to open in May 2007.
(SP/KMcA)
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