Nat commun: finding the relationship between DNA packaging protein and tumor development

September 29, 2018 / BIOON / - scientists from the University of Otago have discovered the three-dimensional structure of two proteins, providing the answer for why some people suffer from some special cancers Photo source: in a recent study published in nature communications, a team led by Dr Peter mace, Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, revealed the three-dimensional structure of BaP1 and ASXL1, the proteins that control DNA packaging in the human body DNA is usually wrapped around proteins and packaged into efficient storage to control which genes are active Many proteins help with this packaging process, and once one of these proteins is disturbed, it is possible to produce tumors Dr mace said mutations in these proteins are seen in many tumors, such as melanoma, mesothelioma, renal cancer and leukemia BaP1 mutations are particularly common in mesothelioma, which is rare in the population and is difficult to treat due to exposure to asbestos These new structures will help us understand how the two proteins work together to remove DNA packaging markers from normal cells and how their functions in tumors are disrupted "The next work will help us understand the changes of these networks in the development of tumors." Dr mace said This is the first time to capture the structure of these proteins The researchers revealed the structure of the same proteins in Drosophila, which are similar to those in humans, but are slightly simpler "This is the best model we have to study how human proteins work." Dr mace explained "The next step is to fully reveal the structure of human proteins." Reference: Martina foglizzo et al, a habitat Polycomb reactive deubiquitinase complex is required for efficient activity on nucleus, nature communications (2018) Doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-06186-1