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Meena Kanduri and Chandrasekhar Kanduri in the lab together with first author Sagar Mahale, postdoctoral fellow in the research group, Photo: Elin Lindström.

Possible new cancer treatment target discovered

30 August, 2022

NEW STUDY. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified a previously unknown mechanism controlling tumor growth in cultured cells and mice. This discovery may potentially enable future development of new drugs against a range of cancer diseases. 

In a research article published in the journal Nature Communications, the Gothenburg scientists have described their discovery. It concerns a protein that binds genetic material and, as the researchers now show, also controls properties that regulate tumor development. 

The protein — known as HnRNPK — binds to messenger-RNA (mRNA), which the two genes IER3 and IER3-AS1 code for. These genes are highly active in several forms of cancer. By binding to the mRNA of these genes, the HnRNPK prevents double-strand RNA forming between them and keeps them separate.  

Chandrasekhar Kanduri. Photo: Elin Lindström

“Keeping these two genes’ RNA separate promotes growth of tumors that depend on growth factors. Without the HnRNPK protein, the properties that promote tumor growth are neutralized, paving the way for development of drugs that block the HnRNPK,” says Chandrasekhar Kanduri, Professor of Medical Genetics at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, who is one of the research leaders behind the study. 

The study also shows that, similarly, the HnRNPK protein binds to the mRNA of several other genes, preventing the formation of double-strand RNA. 

Fewer side effects 

The discovery affords scope for indirectly influencing the FGF-2 growth factor, which is well known to be key both to the process whereby stem cells mature into various cell types and to early embryonic development. 

Meena Kanduri, Associate Professor (Docent) of Molecular Medicine at Sahlgrenska Academy, is also corresponding author of the article. 

Meena Kanduri. Photo: Elin Lindström.

“Given the crucial role of FGF-2 in normal human development, using drugs that target the growth factor directly would have too many side effects. The mechanism we’ve now identified is part of the same signaling chain, but further downstream. So, the mechanism has the potential to become a more attractive cancer treatment option, with fewer side effects,” she says. 

More research is needed to verify the transferability of the finding from cell culture and mouse studies to humans. In the next stage, the group plans to conduct extended studies to examine in more detail how the pair of genes regulated by FGF-2 govern the growth environment of tumors. 

Title: HnRNPK maintains single-strand RNA through controlling double-strand RNA in mammalian cells; Nature Communications; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-32537-0  

BY: ELIN LINDSTRÖM

By: Elin Lindström
Tagged With: Cancerforskning, Cancerforskning, institutionen för biomedicin

Add your own events in the Akademiliv Calendar

Welcome to the Farewell Reception for Dean Agneta Holmäng, Pro Dean Henrik Hagberg, and Vice Deans

Registration is required by December 7th, via this form: https://forms.office.com/e/yRyw7VeCpT

This year’s winter break is approaching. This year, Akademiliv’s newsletter will be paused from December 21 to January 9.

Vanessa Vermeirssen: Inferring regulatory programs of tumor heterogeneity

Hybrid meeting – in Lecture Hall Arvid Carlsson or online via Zoom.
NOTE the time: 1300H.

  • Hybrid webinar 13:00-14:00, Thursday November 16th.
  • Link to Zoom webinar.
  • Sahlgrenska Academy Science Seminars – see full program in the Staff Portal.

Information from Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office

[UPDATED NOVEMBER 2023]
The Sahlgrenska Academy Research Support Office provides an overview of upcoming and current calls, nominations and events in an information letter. This letter is updated on a monthly basis.
Current and previous newsletters are also available in the Staff Portal.

’20 minutes for researchers’ is back – see full autumn program

During 20 minutes over Zoom, the Biomedical Library gives tips on tools and services that can facilitate your research everyday life.

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Doctoral thesis on predicting and preventing preterm delivery

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Two of this year’s Nobel Laureates in physics will lecture at Chalmers in December – registration required

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The central theme for this year’s Research Day: common diseases (conference in Swedish)

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Davide Angeletti studies differentiation of B-celler

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Significantly lower risk of Post-COVID Condition among vaccinated people

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Agneta Holmäng: “We’re increasing our presence at GoCo Health Innovation City”

21 November, 2023

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Forte invests significantly in methods for geographically targeted public health interventions

21 November, 2023

GRANT. A method-focused research program led by researchers at the Department of Social Medicine and Public Health has secured 24 million SEK …  

Nicholas Ashton joins the list of the world’s most cited scientists

21 November, 2023

DISTINCTIONS. This year sees two newcomers from the University of Gothenburg on the Clarivate Analytics list of the world's most cited …  

Speech and Language Pathology receives large project grant from the Swedish Research Council

21 November, 2023

GRANT. Speech and language pathology  research is often interdisciplinary, moving between medicine, language, and psychology. Malin Antonsson, …  

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