WA research has identified a blood cell
molecule that inducts other molecules into
the cell's nucleus, possibly opening new
vistas for cancer research.
Image: iStockphoto
The global scientific community is focused on the work of two researchers from the West Australia Institute for Medical Research (WAIMR), after their world-first discovery could potentially lead to the treatment of several cancers.
Associate Professor Evan Ingley and Professor Peter Klinken, leading two research teams and PhD student Dr Amy Samuels, have identified a molecule in blood cells that leads other molecules into the nucleus of the cell.
The findings were featured in the April 16 edition of the influential haematological journal Blood, by Dr Dwayne Barber from the Ontario Cancer Institute.
Prof Ingley says Dr Dwayne Barber described the work as “top research that has important implications” in the field of signal transduction research.
Prof Ingley says this ‘pied piper’ molecule is called “Liar”, an acronym for its function and characteristics (Lyn interacting ankyrin repeat).
“But it has also been named by others who did not know its function as Ankrd54, due to its homology to a large family of proteins,” he says.
The researchers also identified the function of a known cellular enzyme, “Lyn”, as a switch that turns on blood cell development.
It is believed, coupled with Liar, this enzyme could lead to massive leaps forward in the treatment of treating prostate, breast and colon cancers as well as leukaemia.
Prof Ingley says Liar was discovered as a specific binding partner of Lyn.
“The two molecules work independently and as well as together, and it will be important to understand both of these independent and co-dependent functions,” he says.
“Our studies show than when we disrupt the function of either Lyn or Liar we have significant effects on blood and leukaemia cell development and survival.”
He also says the team have used Liar to “force” Lyn into the nucleus, consequently inhibiting cell functions.
“But the converse is also true, so using a form of Liar that keeps Lyn in the cytoplasm also inhibits leukaemia cell function,” he says.
“The important thing here is that when we alter the shuttling in and out of the nucleus of Lyn and Liar we have significant effects on leukaemia cells.”
The research teams have developed animal models for Lyn and will soon have models for Liar.
Prof Ingley says, although predicting the future of scientific research is difficult, with appropriate funding and progress he would like to see human trials of Liar in 10 years.
“To get to the current stage of understanding Liar has required approximately $1 million in funding,” he says.
The project is funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Cancer Council WA and the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation.
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