New Enzyme Targets for Selective Cancer Therapies

Shay Lukas
Author: Bryan Alary
Published: August 22, 2014
Link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140822132932.htm



Summary: Research is being conducted in the University of Alberta chemistry lab that could revolutionize the treatment of cancer. This research is heavily based on an enzyme called neuraminidase. Chemistry professor Christopher Cairo recently synthesized a compound that targets and prevents the activity of neuraminidase with his team, creating an enzyme inhibitor.  According to information obtained from brain tumor examination, this specific enzyme is found to be overstimulating in certain cancers. With the combined effort of researchers from the University of Milan, Cairo discovered neuraminidase to be excessive in glioblastoma cells, a type of brain cancer. The team from Milan tested Cairo's inhibitor and found that it turned the glioblastoma into normal cells. It also caused the cells to stop growing. This information is very important for therapeutics and future cancer treatments. Although the inhibitor is not a drug itself, it is a very important factor to be considered for future drugs. Research on this issue also largely focuses on the difference between carbohydrates on cancer cells versus normal cells. The carbohydrates on the cell surface impact how each cell interacts with one another, which is important in diseases like cancer. Enzymes are important in this process, so the discovery of neuraminidase and it's connection to cancer could be the answer scientists and doctors need.

Connection: This article and research relates to our curriculum in a few different ways. First, our studies of enzymes are closely connected to these discoveries. The majority of this specific research at the University of Alberta revolves around a type of enzyme. Researchers studied the effects of this enzyme, neuraminidase, and where it was concentrated. This is similar to how we closely examined the effects of the enzyme catalase. We conducted experiments and collected data, just like Cairo and his team. We talked about enzymes' importance and what they do in human cells, which is something that was closely studied and mentioned in this article. Another key concept in both our class and the selective cancer study are carbohydrates. We discussed carbohydrates as one of the four macromolecules needed for life. We also studied the functions they have in our body and our cells. In Bryan Alary's article, carbohydrates are explained as important factors in how cells interact with each other. They form on the  cell's surface and effect how cells connect with each other. This can completely change how cancer cells spread and create. Both enzymes and carbohydrates are huge concepts in our classroom, as well as  Cairo's research and study.