Enzyme behind skin cancer isolated
ANI
Monday, July 14, 2003
Washington - Researchers at the University of Minnesota
have confirmed that an enzyme known as JNK2 plays a
pivotal role in the development of nonmelanoma skin
cancers, thus suggesting that JNK2 should be considered
as a target for the prevention and treatment of such
cancers.
The process of cancer development involves a chain of
interactions among bio-chemicals in the skin, and bio-
chemicals that play key roles in carcinogenesis make
potential therapeutic targets.
Many human cancers show elevated activity in some form of
JNK enzyme, and the enzyme is also activated by sunlight,
said Lead author Zigang Dong, director of the
university's Hormel Institute in Austin, Minnesota, while
presenting his work at the American Association for
Cancer Research meeting in the Washington Convention
Centre.
"Even if one goes into the sun for a few minutes, the
activity of JNK in the epidermis rises," said Dong. "If
you go out for a few minutes, JNK activity doesn't stay
elevated. But it looks as though if a person gets too
much sun exposure, JNK activity becomes permanently
elevated and cancers develop. This study indicates that
some form of JNK activity is a key step in the process by
which nonmelanoma cancers grow."
Working with mice, Dong and his colleagues focused on two
enzymes known to be activated by factors that cause cells
to divide and that have been considered important in skin
cells' response to UV light. Of the two enzymes, called
JNK1 and JNK2, only the latter turned out to play an
important role in the development of tumours, the
researchers found.
The findings suggest that when JNK2 is lacking, skin
cells are inhibited, or at least delayed, in their
response to UVB light.
"Knocking out the JNK2 enzyme could simply delay the
response to ultraviolet light, but if so, it would be
significant," Dong said.
Read the complete news at:
http://www.timesofindia.com
News Plus
http://www.mantra.com/newsplus
Jai Maharaj
http://www.mantra.com/jai
Om Shanti
Panchaang for 16 Ashadh 5104, Monday, July 14, 2003:
Shubhanu Nama Samvatsare Dakshinaya Nartana Ritau
Mithun Mase Krishna Pakshe Indu Vasara Yuktayam
Uttarashadh-Shravan Nakshatr Vishakumbh-Priti Yog
Kaulav-Taitil Karan Pratham-Dvitiya Yam Tithau
Hindu Holocaust Museum
http://www.mantra.com/holocaust
Hindu life, principles, spirituality and philosophy
http://www.hindu.org
http://www.hindunet.org
The truth about Islam and Muslims
http://www.flex.com/~jai/satyamevajayate
o Not for commercial use. Solely to be fairly used for the
educational purposes of research and open discussion. The contents of
this post may not have been authored by, and do not necessarily represent
the opinion of the poster. The contents are protected by copyright law
and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
o If you send private e-mail to me, it will likely not be read,
considered or answered if it does not contain your full legal name,
current e-mail and postal addresses, and live-voice telephone number.
o Posted for information and discussion. Views expressed by others
are not necessarily those of the poster.