Scientists identify protein that controls cancer cells

April 13, 2005 | Source: KurzweilAI

Scientists at Wake Forest University School of Medicine have identified a protein that seems to control the malignant features of brain tumor cells, suggesting a new treatment target for anti-cancer drugs.

They discovered that a little-known protein – called Fra-1 – is present at large amounts in the tumor cells.

Fra-1 is a transcription factor. It is one of many proteins that “read” the genetic material in cells. If effect, transcription factors help control whether the instructions of genes are carried out by the cells.

The protein is also involved in late-stage breast, skin, colon and thyroid cancers, suggesting that a new treatment could apply to multiple cancers.

Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center news release