California University scientists in San Francisco (USA) found that cancer cells become invulnerable to drugs and other stress factors due to the estrogen receptor activity α (ERα). Briefly about the study published in Cell magazine, a press release on MedicalXpress.
In the core of the ERα cell regulates the DNA transformation into a matrix RNA (mRNA) during transcription. However, the estrogen receptor participates in another mechanism, binding to mRNA on its path from the kernel to the cytoplasm. The researchers found that ERα binds to RNA matrix, which are involved in cancer progression. Some of these mRNA interfere with the cells of the cell if the one has accumulated too much harmful mutations. Other molecules help cells survive under conditions of lack of oxygen or nutrients.
Hormone therapy, such as tamoxifen, blocks the transcriptional activity of ERα in the core of the cancer cell. Although at first treatment is an effective way to overcome the disease for most patients with ERα-positive breast cancer, a significant number of patients occurs the development of drug resistance, and cancer becomes almost incurable.
Researchers analyzed cancer cells of 14 patients with a diagnosis of ERα-positive breast cancer and found that patients had elevated mRNA levels serving targets for ERα. Inhibition of RNA binding activity with Erα restored tamoxifen efficiency in mice with tumors. It also made cells more sensitive to stress and apoptosis.
However, according to scientists, it is necessary to continue research in order to fully understand how Erα controls RNA in cell cytoplasm. These mechanisms can form the basis of the work of new anticancer drugs that are struggling with incurable tumors.