3D Image Of Key Cancer Protein Holds Treatment For Leukemia

Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have discovered a protein known as Trib1, which plays a vital role in controlling how and when other proteins are degraded. This is essential for managing protein cell levels that may help to one day develop new drugs that treat certain cancers, including leukemia.

"The amount of protein in a cell depends on the balance between production and degradation," Dr. James Murphy said in a news release. "Defects in protein degradation, or in the controllers of protein degradation, disrupt this balance and can lead to diseases such as cancer."

Trib1 belongs to the protein family known as the Tribbles and plays a diverse role in cell signaling, as well as development. Named after the little furry creatures from Star Trek that uncontrollably reproduce. Excess amounts of the Tribbles unfortunately facilitate the abnormal production of immune cells that cause acute myeloid leukemia.

In this recent study, researchers used the Australian Synchrotron, an extremely powerful source of X-rays, to obtain detailed three-dimensional images of the protein: an unusual type of protein also known as a pseudokinase. "Pseudokinases were once thought to be evolutionary dead ends, but we now know that they play critical roles in cells," he said. "Precisely how Trib1 lost its old activity and gained other functions has been a real mystery."

The study results revealed that Trib1 has undergone enormously huge contortions when compared to its ancestors, according to Dr. Murphy. Furthermore, these structural changes prevent Trib1 from driving chemical reactions, allowing it to function as a scaffold that brings proteins back together.

The study results were published in the journal Structure.

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