Latest Research Updates
Studies on Worms Shedding Light on Human Cancer
Research on worms is shedding light on a protein which is associated with different types of human cancer. The scientists of University of Wisconsin-Madison were studying a worm protein known as TFG-1. It is found in several cell types but its exact role was never understood. The scientists discovered that these proteins hold the key aspects of secretion responsible for growth factors of cells.
Dr. Anjon Anudhya, an assistant professor of biomolecular chemistry in the school of Medicine and Public Health says TFG-1 was never implicated in the process of secretion. Now it turns out that human also have a similar protein and it plays similar role as in worms. While reviewing the scientific literature, the researchers found that in humans the genes encoding TFG are fused to three other genes implicating papillary thyroids carcinoma, large cell lymphoma and extraskeletal chondrosarcoma. This fusion occurs due to combination of two broken or rearranged pieces of DNA which forms a chimeric gene. This chimeric gene has completely distinct properties.
Due to Anudhya’s studies about TFG-1 in worms led him to develop a model which could explain how in human TFG-1 can stimulate cancer. In the current issue of Nature Cell Biology it is reported that due to abnormal level of growth factor secretion may produce a rich microenvironment which helps in the formation of tumor and thrive.
He also said due to certain properties of TFG it is known to be effective precursor oncogenes. The Wisconsin researchers through the genetic studies found that TFG-1 in the worms controls the secretion and vesicle formation out of the endoplasmic reticulum. So these studies on worms are shedding light on human cancer.