JERUSALEM, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have discovered a new function of a protein in the cell, which can improve cancer treatment and wound healing, according to a study published Friday by Israel Institute of Technology "Technion."
The study found that "caspase-3" protein not only kills defective cells in a process called apoptosis, but also helps divide cells, which can cause cancerous tumors.
The researchers uncovered a molecular mechanism that monitors the development and size of the mammary gland in the skin. Disruptions in the glands can lead to acne and cancer.
The study revealed that caspase-3 plays a key role in the development of sebaceous glands. It was found that caspase-3 helps divide cells through another protein called YAP, which also affects the size of the gland.
YAP stimulates cell division when entering the nucleus and is therefore subject to very strict control, so that it does not cause uncontrolled division of cells.
To prevent it from entering the cell, YAP is anchored to the cell membrane by alpha-catenin protein. The study showed that caspase-3 cuts alpha-catenin and thus released YAP and allowing it to enter the nucleus and stimulate division.
The discovery sheds light on radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatments, which deliberately accelerate the activity of caspase-3 to kill tumor cells. Now it turns out that this action may accelerate cell division and increase tumor mass.
The discovery has many potential implementations, including curbing cancer and healing wounds by manipulating caspase-3. Inhibition of caspase-3 may be very effective in treating advanced cancer tumors.
