By Vanessa Chalmers Health Reporter For Mailonline
Published: 17:22 BST, 17 April 2019 | Updated: 17:22 BST, 17 April 2019
View
comments
Scientists have created 'decoy' molecules that can kill tumours by tricking them.
The molecules attract proteins in cancer cells that would otherwise stick to other substances that help them thrive.
Tests on mice showed the stealthy technique made cancer cells function worse, while also slowing the growth of tumours.
The researchers hope their breakthrough will put them one step closer to creating a drug that targets multiple types of cancer.
Scientists have created 'decoy' molecules that can kill tumours by tricking cancerous cells. Pictured, an illustration of cancer cells
So far, no cancer treatment is targeted at the proteins in question, according to the researchers at Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
They are called RNA-binding proteins as they bind to RNA molecules, essential for expression of genes and various biological roles in living organisms.
Evidence is accumulating that proteins in cancer cells that bind to RNA play a major role in cancer growth.
Professor Rotem Karni and his team at the HU Institute for Medical Research-Israel Canada (IMRIC) were behind the latest study.
They designed molecules, a type of oligonucleotide, that trick RNA-binding proteins called SRSF1 into binding with them instead.
Scientists are interested in how the processes of RNA splicing, a fundamental step of gene expression, is involved in cancer and other diseases.
They are looking at ways the proteins that control this process - splicing factors -
