P-glycoprotein has been known to do more harm to the body than good. It is a protein that is linked to cancer cells and is found within the human body – they sit in the membrane that surrounds human cells – releasing throughout the body harmful agents. It is also linked to why cancer cells are resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Further study of the protein was taken out by a team at Scripps Research Institute recently, by understanding and studying the proteins structure, new drugs can be designed to penetrate the proteins and block them, improving chemotherapy. The structure was determined through process called x-ray crystallography. The structure of the P-glycoprotein was found to be in the shape of an upside down ‘V’. The cavity of the protein is lined with amino acids that bind to other substances and holds them in place. The tip of the ‘V’ is within the cell membrane and has two ways for substances to enter.
New study of the structure has helped in several designs that are able to block the function of the protein. They bind within the protein, preventing other substances from entering the cavity of the structure. With these tests and knowing the structure of the cavity and where certain substances enter the protein, researchers are able to modify drugs that can penetrate the protein and get inside of the cell. This has helped in allowing re-designs of existing drugs instead of designing new drugs from scratch.
For more information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326141555.htm
Original Article:Scripps Research Institute. “Structure Of Protein That Makes Cancer Cells Resistant To Chemotherapy Identified”, Science, March 29, [Online], Available: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326141555.htm[2009, March 29]
New study of the structure has helped in several designs that are able to block the function of the protein. They bind within the protein, preventing other substances from entering the cavity of the structure. With these tests and knowing the structure of the cavity and where certain substances enter the protein, researchers are able to modify drugs that can penetrate the protein and get inside of the cell. This has helped in allowing re-designs of existing drugs instead of designing new drugs from scratch.
For more information: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326141555.htm
Original Article:Scripps Research Institute. “Structure Of Protein That Makes Cancer Cells Resistant To Chemotherapy Identified”, Science, March 29, [Online], Available: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090326141555.htm[2009, March 29]
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