8958
0
Posted on Aug 06, 2008, 8 p.m.
By Jeanelle Topping
Scientists have announced that they have discovered the "key" to cancer, it has been noted.
Scientists have announced that they have discovered the "key" to cancer, it has been noted.
Researchers at the University of Manchester have unveiled a 3D structure of a protein in the kinases family which is responsible for regulating chromosome numbers during cell division called Mps1 which they say will be essential in the prevention of the disease.
In news that may be of interest to anti aging physicians, this discovery could aid the development of safer and more effective cancer therapies.
The researchers noted that over 100 of the 500 known kinases enzymes have been shown to be linked to cancer when they become deregulated.
Dr Patrick Eyers of the university, along with his team, used the Diamond Light synchrotron microscope, which is able to speed up electrons to speeds where they emit high energy particles, to allow the protein's atomic structure to be made visible.
If a drug can be designed that disables Mps1, it may allow rapidly dividing cells in tumors to be killed off, the findings published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry suggest.
In related news, a high proportion of former cancer patients are using complementary and alternative methods to aid them in their recovery, a study by the American Cancer Society reveals.
