A deficiency of this protein promotes the development of skin cancer

Can the protein TRIM29 affect the risk of skin cancer??

Researchers at Hokkaido University have now discovered that the loss of a protein called TRIM29 promotes invasion of cancer cells in a common type of skin cancer. This indicates a new diagnostic marker and potential therapeutic target.

Researchers at Hokkaido University have found in their recent research that loss of a particular protein increases the likelihood of developing a specific form of skin cancer. The physicians published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Cancer Research".

How does TRIM29 affect squamous cell carcinoma??

A so-called squamous cell carcinoma is a common type of cancer that normally affects the skin when exposed to the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. A protein that normally helps to repair our DNA is also involved in breast, pancreas, prostate, lung, bladder, and stomach cancers. The role of this protein in squamous cell carcinoma, however, was previously unknown, say the scientists.

Low levels of TRIM29 make cancer cells more invasive

Human squamous cell carcinoma cells with lower TRIM29 levels are more mobile and invasive, which correlates with a worse prognosis, experts at Teruki Yanagi and Professor Shigetsugu Hatakeyama from Hokkaido University explain. The expression of TRIM29 was highest in normal skin cells. It was lower in squamous cell carcinomas and also in tumors that metastasized, spreading from the major cancer site to other parts of the body, such as the lungs. The researchers also found that shutting down the gene made cancer cells more mobile and invasive in both cell cultures and mice.

TRIM29 interacts with keratin

Interestingly, the scientists found that TRIM29 interacts with another protein (keratin) within cells, which plays numerous roles in the formation of a protective structural framework within cells as well as in cell motility and signaling. When the level of TRIM29 in a cell is normal, keratin is widely distributed in the cytoplasm. In contrast, when TRIM29 levels are low, keratin is predominantly distributed in the nucleus, resulting in altered cell shapes, the authors of the study explain.

TRIM29 as a diagnostic and prognostic marker?

Previous studies have already shown. TRIM29 suppresses the development of breast and prostate cancer as the protein in these cell types spreads in the cytoplasm. However, it promoted the development of pancreatic, lung, bladder and stomach cancers where it is located in the nucleus. In skin cells, TRIM29 is normally positioned throughout the cytoplasm, enhancing its protective function in suppressing skin cancer, say the doctors. "Our results suggest that TRIM29 may be a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker for squamous cell carcinoma that frequently occurs in the skin, neck and head, the interaction between TRIM-29 and keratin could also be a therapeutic target for the treatment of advanced and metastatic Squamous cell carcinoma, "said study author Teruki Yanagi in a press release from Hokkaido University. (As)