Dutch Scientists Study Cancer Inhibitor
Posted on: Wednesday, 27 June 2007, 12:00 CDT
Dutch scientists have determined the workings of a cancer inhibitor, topotecan, viewing its effects live at the level of a single DNA molecule.
The researchers at Delft University's Kavli Institute of Nanoscience wanted to determine exactly how topotecan interacts with the protein TopoIB to cause a cancer cell to malfunction.
TopoIB is responsible for the removal of loops from DNA, which arise during cell division. The protein binds to the DNA molecule, clamps around it and cuts one of the two DNA strands, after which it allows it to unwind and finally joins the broken ends together.
It had previously been supposed topotecan only caused the TopoIB protein to reside longer than normal on the DNA molecule, disturbing the cell division and damaging the cancer cell. But the Delft researchers discovered adding topotecan also impedes the unwinding and allows the DNA loops to accumulate, forming the basis for an alternative mechanism, and possible leading to better cancer medicines.
The research by Daniel Koster, Elisa Bot and Nynke Dekker is detailed in the journal Nature.
Source: United Press International
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