High Levels Of PEA-15 Shrink Breast Cancer Tumors
An interesting new study conducted by The University of Texas has uncovered a link between the over expression of PEA-15 and breast cancer. Amongst other functions, the PEA-15 human gene is also responsible for binding and relocating oncoproteins (which fuels cancer growth) out of the cells nucleus. Rese
arch into this particular gene and its link with breast cancer, was conducted through inserting it into mice cell DNA. In the cells treated with adenoviral PEA-15 vectors for 35 days, breast cancer grafts depleted to undetectable levels, where tumours continued to grow rapidly in the control mice. In a series of experiments, breast cancer cells treated with PEA-15 resulted in 30-60 percent fewer colonies compared to that of the control cultures. Further studies showed that delivered adenoviral PEA-15 over expression repressed cell growth and DNA synthesis. The research team had previously conducted the same study with ovarian cancer and found similar and pleasing results. Consistent with the known function of PEA-15 as already stated, the research also found that ERK (an oncoprotein which fuels cancer cell growth) when in the nucleus has been sequestered into the cell cytoplasm ultimately inducing cell death. The research team analysed the cell cycle of the breast cancer cells treated with PEA-15 and results revealed onset of apoptosis (cell death). The occurrence of induced cell death in ovarian cancer cells however, occurred by autophagy (self consumption). Induced cell death by PEA-15 found in the two different cancer cells, has proven its abilty to alter function. The new link between PEA-15 and breast cancer has triggered further funding, in hope to eventually discover a new drug targeting the expression on PEA-15 as well as find making expression of PEA-15 in human cells as successful as the results found with mice.
Ericka Beattie
References
Journal Article:
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (2009, April 25). High Levels Of PEA-15 Shrink Breast Cancer Tumors. ScienceDaily. Retrieved April 25, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2009/04/090420170749.htm
Image:
http://www.blisstree.com/geneticsandhealth/files/2009/01/pttmedical015434-ndbycan071381-01-malignant-cancer-cells.jpg
