Highlights The oncogenic Gαs mutation R201C allows GDP-bound Gαs to activate adenylyl cyclase GDP-bound Gαs(R201C/C237S) adopts an active state in its crystal structure The R201C mutation activates Gαs by stabilizing an intramolecular H-bond network Loss-of-function mutations R228C and R265H destabilize the GTP active state of Gαs A few days ago, researchers from Howard Houston Medical School discovered a novel protein mutation in pituitary tumors, which may subvert the traditional concept,…
cancer
Nature Communication: Proteins that Make Difference between Cancerous and Healthy Cells Found
A recent study published in Nature Communication reveals how cancerous cells differ from healthy ones, which paves way for the development of novel strategies for the therapeutic intervention for difficult-to-treat cancers in the future. An international research team discovered a “stop sign”- a mutated protein called PIP-stop, which is overused by tumor cells and can effectively prevent healthy cells from classifying in the way they are designed to. …
Scary! Pressure Will Accelerate The Occurrence of Malignant Pancreatic Cancer!
In a recent study published in the journal Cancer Cell, researchers from Columbia University Medical Center found that stress may accelerate the development of pancreatic cancer by stimulating the release of “fighting or running away” hormones, β-blockers that inhibit these hormones can effectively increase the survival of cancer-bearing mouse models. In addition, researchers analyzing patients with malignant pancreatic cancer found that patients taking selective β-blockers survived two-thirds more than the…
Tea and Coffee Consumption in Relation to DNA Methylation
In a recent study published in Human Molecular Genetics, researchers from the University of Uppsala, found that tea consumption may lead to DNA methylation changes of some special genes in women bodies, while those genes are thought to have interactions between cancers and estrogen metabolism. As we all know, lifestyle factors, like food choices, smoking and exposure to chemicals, can alter DNA methylation and lead to changes in gene…
Tumor Genetic Testing—Hot Point of This Year!
“Cancer is the most common genetic disease, while all cancers are derived from abnormal DNA sequences.” Professor Michael Stratton, header of the Sanger Institute at the University of Cambridge, pointed out that although different cancers have different incentives and symptoms, but can all be explained by gene mutations. No matter the Human Genome Project (HGP), the Cancer Genome Project (TCGA), the 100,000-person Genome or the “Moon Shots” program of the…
New mechanism of pRb Found
A recent study has found new mechanism of pRb-a well know tumor suppressor. The research completed by scientists at University of Illinois in the United States and Spain Pompeu Fabra University, was published in International academic journals Gene & Development. Tumor suppressor is a kind of protein that acts as natural “brake” for cellular proliferation, having the ability to prevent the formation of malignant tumors. Depth understanding of how these…
What Makes Cancer So Fatal?
There exists, in some cancers, some abnormal cells similar to stem cells. These cells are as factories that are working overtime. They quickly produce a copy of their own and from time to time generate some variations. What’s worse, those cells can spread to other tissues of the body, and eventually leading to cancer metastasis. Researchers in Salk institution found that, Sox10 can determine whether cells will transform into…
MIT: 35 Innovators Under 35 in 2015 (Part Two)
In the last post, we have made an introduction about 6 of the innovators. And this post will introduce the rest 8 and the achievement of them. Zhen Gu (34 years old) Zhen Gu recently developed a fingernail-sized patches, covered with more than 100 tiny needles. When you put the patch on the skin, you will feel instantly acupuncture. These needles are filled with tiny capsules, which contains insulin…
Cell launched Four Featured Cancer Immunotherapy Reviews
Although it has been years since the idea of using immune system to fight against cancer come into being, only until recent years do scientists find some successful treatment strategies. By manipulating the immune checkpoints and T cell activation to exert anti-tumor activity, immunotherapy has been applied to a wider range of malignancies now, while it only showed therapeutic potential in several types of cancers in the very beginning. Recently…