Cancer Research: DNA Repair Puzzle Solved
PharmaLive.com
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London (UK):
Cancer Research UK scientists believe the final piece of the picture of how cells fix a severe type of DNA damage – thereby reducing the chances that the cells become cancerous – will fall into place tomorrow (Friday) when they publish their latest findings in the journal Cell. Professor Steve Jackson, based at Cambridge University, discovered the first component of one particular DNA repair process over ten years ago.
More pieces were found, and eventually scientists thought they had the whole process mapped out. But recent evidence came to light that suggested there was still one bit missing.
Now Prof Jackson has finished what he started by discovering a new molecule that completes the picture. The molecule is called XLF and while it may have a role in causing cancer, it can possibly also be targeted by new cancer treatments – for example, blocking the action of XLF in cancer cells could ‘soften up’ the cells and allow radiotherapy to deliver more easily a knockout blow.
Jan 26, 2006
PharmaLive.com
____________
London (UK):
Cancer Research UK scientists believe the final piece of the picture of how cells fix a severe type of DNA damage – thereby reducing the chances that the cells become cancerous – will fall into place tomorrow (Friday) when they publish their latest findings in the journal Cell. Professor Steve Jackson, based at Cambridge University, discovered the first component of one particular DNA repair process over ten years ago.
More pieces were found, and eventually scientists thought they had the whole process mapped out. But recent evidence came to light that suggested there was still one bit missing.
Now Prof Jackson has finished what he started by discovering a new molecule that completes the picture. The molecule is called XLF and while it may have a role in causing cancer, it can possibly also be targeted by new cancer treatments – for example, blocking the action of XLF in cancer cells could ‘soften up’ the cells and allow radiotherapy to deliver more easily a knockout blow.
Jan 26, 2006
