Sometimes biology sucks. New link between cancer and aging.

From: Brett Paatsch (paatschb@optusnet.com.au)
Date: Mon Jun 23 2003 - 23:21:34 MDT

  • Next message: Brett Paatsch: "Re: TMS...the truth is out there..."

    In the article below it seems the myc cancer causing gene
    (which is already known to be responsible for about a third
     of all cancers (bad gene, very bad! ) produces the protein
    that activates the Werner's gene (a fine friendly gene, one
    warms naturally to it, - because in healthy folk that don't suffer
    from the rare premature aging syndrome known as Werners
    when the gene is broken) it is actually involved in keeping
    cells young and growing.

    So, the bummer of it is, the gene that keeps cells young and
    growing is fired off by a gene that gives you cancer. Sort of.

    Irritating universe. Still it is better to know. As now, maybe,
    we can gerry rig some sort of work around or kludge.

    Also, we may get some more insight into kicking cancers butt.

    ------------

    Scientists identify genetic link between cancer and aging
    http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-06/cshl-sig062303.php

    A collaboration of scientists mainly from the Fred Hutchinson
    Cancer Center and at the University of Washington (Seattle)
    has made an important discovery linking the powerful cancer
    -causing oncogene, myc, with the gene behind the premature
    aging disease, Werner syndrome. Their finding reveals that the
    MYC oncoprotein turns-on Werner syndrome gene
    expression, and posits the Werner syndrome gene as a
    potentially important participant in MYC-induced tumorigenesis.

    Werner syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by
    the appearance of old age beginning after puberty. It is caused
    by mutations in the Werner syndrome gene (WRN), which
    resides on the short arm of human chromosome 8. The WRN
    gene encodes a DNA helicase (an enzyme that unwinds DNA)
    involved in DNA replication and repair.
    ..

    As Dr. Grandori explains, "We uncovered a role in
    oncogenesis for a gene, WRN, whose function was known to
    be important in maintaining youth of the whole organism. This
    study was prompted by the characteristic ability of tumor cells
    in culture to multiply indefinitely and thus to exhibit permanent
    youth. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that
    genetic programs that limit organismal aging may, at the cellular
    level, promote tumor development, thus constituting a double
    sword. On the positive side, we hope that our study will
    provide a new therapeutic target able to trigger tumor cells
    into senescence."

    etc
    ----------

    - Brett Paatsch

    PS: "Dr Ray Monnet at the Universtity of washington notes
    that "we have recognized deep links between cell senescence
    and tumorigenesis for some time. Its gratifying (sic) to see
    another of these links identified that is conceptually interesting
    and may (sic) have practical importance".

    That Dr. Ray has 'scientific detachment' down to an art form.



    This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Mon Jun 23 2003 - 23:31:11 MDT