HOME >> BIOLOGY >> NEWS
Researchers locate tumor-suppressor gene in fruit flies that controls cell production, death

DALLAS July 16, 2003 UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas researchers have discovered a tumor-suppressor gene that, in fruit flies, simultaneously restricts cell proliferation and promotes cell death, a process that may also play an important role in the genesis of cancer in humans.

Removal of the gene, hippo, resulted in tumor formation in every organ of the fruit fly. The findings, which are currently online, will appear in an upcoming issue of Cell.

"This is one of the few genes that has been discovered that directly controls two pathways, cell proliferation and cell apoptosis, or cell death," said Dr. Duojia Pan, assistant professor of physiology and senior author of the study. "Sustained growth of cancer cells requires activation of the cell proliferation machinery and suppression of a system called the apoptotic failsafe mechanism. The combination of suppressed cell death and deregulated cell production is likely a key element in cancer."

The researchers identified hippo by screening the fruit fly, or drosophila, genome for mutations that promoted abnormal tissue growth.

To determine the relationship between hippo and a similar protein found in humans, the researchers replaced the tumor-suppressor gene in fruit flies with a protein in humans called MST2. This resulted in the reduction of tumors in the fruit flies, leading researchers to hypothesize that MST2 plays a similar role in human-tumor suppression.

"We hypothesize that this protein (MST2) may be inactivated in some humans, causing the onset of tumor growth. Tumor suppression is important in humans because it is required to restrict abnormal growth of tissues," said Dr. Pan, the Virginia Murchison Linthicum Scholar in Medical Research.

The researchers report also that hippo is linked to two other tumor-suppressing genes, Salvador and warts.

"These three tumor-suppression genes may define a tumor su
'"/>

Contact: Amy Shields
amy.shields@utsouthwestern.edu
214-648-3404
UT Southwestern Medical Center
16-Jul-2003


Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. Researchers determine genetic cause of Timothy syndrome
2. Researchers find color sensitive atomic switch in bacteria
3. Researchers identify protein promoting vascular tumor growth
4. Researchers devise potent new tools to curb ivory poaching
5. Researchers create nanotubes that change colors, form nanocarpet and kill bacteria
6. Researchers ID chlorophyll-regulating gene
7. Researchers develop fast track way to discover how cells are regulated
8. Researchers identify distinctive signature for metastatic prostate cancer
9. Researchers report new gene test for isolated cleft lip and palate
10. Researchers discover why mutant gene causes colon cancer
11. Researchers identify the genomes controlling elements

Post Your Comments:
(Date:5/24/2013)... largest and fastest growing open-access publishers, today announces the ... . , A broad scope journal covering all specialties, ... and interactive web platform for the research community to ... Frontiers, real-time and interactive peer-review enables fast, fair and ... an average of three months from submission to final ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) and other non-coding ... expression of specific proteins. In recent years they ... been used to establish tissue origin for cancers ... responses and screen for disease, but clinically tractable, ... samples are not currently available. In this issue ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... scientists from around the world today issued a stark ... of one or two generations, the majority of the ... the handicap of severe pressure on fresh water, an ... substitute. This handicap will be self-inflicted and is, we ... chronic underlying problems led by mismanagement and sent a ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Frontiers launches new open-access journal in physics 2Frontiers launches new open-access journal in physics 3A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 2A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 3A majority on Earth face severe self-inflicted water woes within 2 generations: Scientists 4
(Date:5/24/2013)... Dr. Ingrid Warmuth and Anamaria Newport, MHS, PA-C, ... to announce an Open House at their Swedesboro location, 95 ... 8th from 10 AM to 2 PM. , During ... staff will be on hand to talk to people about ... provide complimentary cosmetic consultations. There will also be specials offered, ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... -- Senomyx , Inc. (NASDAQ: SNMX ... discover, develop, and commercialize novel flavor ingredients, announced today ... Company,s Vice President, Biology and Gwen Rosenberg ... will present an overview of Senomyx,s technology and programs ... (7:25 a.m. Pacific Time) during the Citi 2013 Global ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... 24, 2013 Vestiage, Inc. (stock ... focused on science-based research and development, sales and ... and nutraceuticals, announced today that it is awarding ... the sale of Reluma Skin Illuminating Facial Care. ... application by sending an email to info(at)vestiageinc(dot)com and ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... ROCK, Colo. , May 23, 2013 ... diagnostic company focused on obtaining FDA clearance and ... , today announced the pricing of an underwritten public ... related warrants to purchase 3,500,000 shares of its common ... at a combined public offering price of $1.25 per ...
Breaking Biology Technology:SENOMYX TO WEBCAST CORPORATE PRESENTATION AT THE CITI 2013 GLOBAL CONSUMER CONFERENCE 2Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 2Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 3Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 4Vestiage Announces Launch of Exclusive Territories for Reluma Brand Sales in USA 5Venaxis Announces Pricing of Offering of Common Stock and Warrants 2Venaxis Announces Pricing of Offering of Common Stock and Warrants 3
Cached News: