Cancer - 1EAW-Q1 - Matriptase

Cancer
1EAW-Q1
Matriptase

Matriptase belongs to the serine protease family of proteins. It has recently been identified as a cancer target.

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R Friedrich and W Bode J Biol Chem (2001) 277 p2160




Snipet from the link
http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2005/nidcr-15.htm

Scientists Find Cell Surface Enzyme Matriptase Causes Cancer
Scientists at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and colleagues report in animal studies that a single, scissor-like enzyme called matriptase, when left to its own devices, can cause cancer.

This finding, published in the current issue of the journal Genes and Development, marks the first report of a protein-cleaving enzyme, or protease, on the cell surface that can efficiently trigger the formation of tumor cells. The authors also note that matriptase is the first known cell-surface protease that can act as an oncogene, an umbrella term for mutated genes and their proteins that prompt cells to divide too rapidly, a hallmark of tumor cells.

“What makes matriptase potentially such a good molecular target to treat cancer is its accessibility,” said NIDCR scientist Dr. Thomas Bugge, the senior author on the paper. “We don’t have to trick the tumor cell to internalize a drug, then hope it reaches its destination in an appropriate concentration and duration. In this case, the bull’s eye is right on the cell surface.”


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