New gene suppresses growth of brain tumors

Hitherto unknown gene slows the growth of brain tumors

04/11/2012

Researchers have discovered a previously unknown gene that counteracts the growth of brain tumors (gliomas). Like the researchers around Professor Ruthild Weber of the Institute of Human Genetics of the Hannover Medical School (MHH) in the journal „Brain“ report, the gene contributes to the coding of a particular protein complex, which in turn has a „Tumor-suppressive function“ Has.

In collaboration with scientists from the University of Bonn, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg, the Radboud University Nijmegen (Netherlands) and the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester (USA), the study director Prof. Ruthild Weber proved that a particular gene contributes to the suppression of brain tumors. The gene with previously unknown function, leading homozygous (on both alleles of the genome) occurrence to one „Significant decrease in colony forming, migration and invasion capacity“ certain glioma cells, the researchers write. Perhaps the current findings could serve the development of new cancer drugs.

Gene encodes a tumor-suppressing protein complex
The researchers led by Prof. Ruthild Weber discovered the hitherto unknown function of the gene in the study of glioblastomas, which are considered the most common form of malignant brain tumors. The gene was present in many glioblastomas in a modified form, which attracted the attention of researchers. Because is „Inactivating a gene in a tumor is an indication that it is tumor suppressive“, emphasized the study director Prof. Ruthild Weber. In further experiments, the scientists found that the gene encodes a specific protein, which in turn causes the inhibition of tumor growth. The scientists were able to confirm the positive effect of the gene both in experiments with mice and in in vitro cultures. In the rodents, the brain tumors were only half as large, if the discovered gene was in tact, the scientists report in their article.

Researchers hope to develop new cancer drugs
Overall, the studies have shown that the gene discovered a „Protein complex with tumor suppressive function in brain tumors“ encodes Weber and colleagues. The corresponding protein called the researchers as „Focadhesin“. The current results also suggest that the discovered gene could also play a significant role in other cancers, such as breast cancer or colorectal cancer, according to the scientists. According to the MHH, the current findings could potentially contribute to the development of novel anticancer drugs in the future. (Fp)

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