( Researchers at the University of Pennsy...)Defensins neutralize anthrax toxin

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have identified a link between a critical cancer pathway and an Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) protein known to be expressed in a number of EBV-associated cancers. Their findings demonstrate a new mechanism by which EBV transforms human B cells from the immune system into cancerous cells, which can lead to development of B-cell lymphomas.

Erle S. Robertson, PhD, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Director of Tumor Virology, with Penn's Abramson Cancer Center and MD/PhD student Jason Knight, published their results in the early March issue of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

Using human cell cultures infected with the Epstein-Barr virus, the investigators found that a specific viral protein targets a molecule that normally regulates the cell-cycle progression, or duplication process, of resting B cells. In the presence of this viral protein ?called EBNA3C (for EBV nuclear antigen) ?the cell cycle of the usually quiescent human B cells gets a jump start, which ultimately initiates uncontrolled growth.

EBV, a member of the herpesvirus family and one of the most common human viruses, plays a role in cancers such as lymphoproliferative diseases in transplant or AIDS patients, Burkitt's lymphoma, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and also causes the well-known disease, infectious mononucleosis. As many as 95 percent of adults 20 years and older have been infected with EBV, but show no symptoms.

"Viruses that are associated with cancers typically target the cell cycle to gain control," says Robertson. "However, this is the first time that laboratory research into how EBV drives the cancer process has directly identified a critical component of the cell cycle for control. Now we can develop targeted therapeutics to disrupt the function of this viral protein." The researchers surmise that the first use of future therapies from these studies will be in lymphoprolifera
'"/>

Source:

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Defensins Ward Off HIV In Two Ways
2. Bleach found to neutralize mold allergens
3. Scientists seek answers on what activates deadly anthrax spores
4. Antibodies from plants protect against anthrax
5. Critical step traced in anthrax infection
6. US Army plans to bulk-buy anthrax
7. New antibody shows promise as cure for anthrax
8. Effective, safe anthrax vaccine can be grown in tobacco plants
9. UCSD study finds anthrax toxins also harmful to fruit flies
10. Driver of anthrax toxicity could lead to late-stage therapy
11. Scientists design potent anthrax toxin inhibitor