New Protein Found That Aids Rapid Cancer Cell Growth... "Boost for 4th Generation Targeted Cancer Drugs"

UNIST Research Team Confirms 'NSMF Protein' Relieves Replication Stress in Cancer Cells
Inhibition Leads to Cancer Cell Death...New Concept Anticancer Drug Development Expected

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] A new protein that helps cancer cells rapidly proliferate (replicate) without replication stress, unlike normal cells, has been discovered by a domestic research team. In particular, the team confirmed that when this protein is deficient, cancer cells also die, raising expectations for the development of a new concept of anticancer drugs.

Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) announced on the 20th that the research team led by Professors Chae Young-chan, Kim Hong-tae, and Choi Jang-hyun confirmed that the 'NSMF' protein, previously known only to be involved in brain development, helps resolve DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) replication stress occurring during cell division.

When cells divide (proliferate), the DNA inside the cells is also replicated. During the replication process of approximately 3 billion base pairs that make up DNA, various causes can lead to errors, and if these errors are not corrected in time, replication stress accumulates, threatening cell survival. Therefore, cells mobilize various proteins (enzymes, etc.) to correct errors, and the newly identified NSMF protein is one of them. The NSMF protein quickly recognizes the sites where DNA replication errors occur, then recruits replication error correction proteins such as PRP19 and ATR to the error sites to correct the replication errors and help resume the halted DNA replication.

The research team particularly confirmed that when the gene producing the NSMF protein (a specific part of DNA) was cut to suppress NSMF expression, cancer cells failed to grow and died. The expression level of the NSMF protein was higher in various types of cancer cells compared to normal cells, indicating that the NSMF protein can function as a 'cancer growth protein' that resolves replication stress in cancer cells. The secret to cancer cells, which divide faster and experience more replication stress than normal cells, surviving is related to the NSMF protein.

The team also confirmed this fact through experiments on mice with NSMF gene deletion. This is the first time such a fact has been proven at the organism level rather than at the cellular level. The team demonstrated through mouse model experiments that DNA replication stress induced by genotoxic compounds is regulated by the NSMF protein, maintaining genomic integrity. Genomic integrity refers to the complete preservation of various genetic materials, including DNA.

The research team stated, "The process by which cancer cells respond to replication stress was shrouded in mystery," and added, "The discovery that the NSMF protein helps resolve cellular replication stress will accelerate the development of fourth-generation targeted anticancer drugs."

The research results were published online on the 8th in the international academic journal Nucleic Acids Research.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.