Glycation, a process where excess sugars attach to important proteins in the body, is often linked to diabetes and obesity. However, in certain types of cancer, glycation can have a surprising effect – it prevents tumors from growing and spreading.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor Leemor Joshua-Tor and her team have made a groundbreaking discovery about the enzyme FN3K, which breaks down glycation. By studying its 3D structure, they found that removing a specific amino acid called tryptophan makes the enzyme inactive, while changing it to another amino acid turns it into a “super-enzyme.”
This breakthrough could lead to new cancer therapies, as the team’s model provides a precise understanding of how FN3K works. By identifying small molecules that bind to FN3K, researchers can design specific drugs to target only this enzyme, without harming other kinases.
While future clinical applications are still in development, Joshua-Tor notes that exploiting the fine-tuned mechanisms of enzymes like FN3K could lead to innovative treatments for cancer patients.
Source: https://www.cshl.edu/a-recipe-to-reverse-cancers-sweet-tooth