Craiova Breaking News

Cells have various repair systems that correct errors in DNA or prompt cell death when damage in DNA cannot be fixed. In a recent study, scientists have begun understanding the function of a specific matchmaker protein, MutL, in these repair systems. This protein may play a significant role in the future of hereditary colorectal cancer research.

MutL is important to the DNA mismatch repair pathway, which corrects errors during DNA replication. It gathers other enzymes and proteins in the cell to recognize, remove, and repair mismatched DNA. If these errors are not corrected, mutations may begin to develop and result in cancer or severe genetic disorders. Previous research has revealed that these mutations are linked to both hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer and Turcot Syndrome.

"The reason why it can lead to cancer is because if you don't have mismatch repair proteins that correct these errors, you're going to accumulate mutations. People with defective mismatch repair genes develop cancers at very early ages," said Alba Guarne, an associate professor at McMaster University.

In order to understand how MutL functions, the researchers have carefully examined the protein and its properties. They have discovered how it becomes an enzyme that fixes errors in DNA. Moreover, they have noticed that PCNA, another protein in the mismatch repair pathway, allows damaged DNA to bind to MutL. The results of this analysis may provide a new focus for future research pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary colorectal cancer. By targeting mutations on the MutL protein, scientists may be able to determine the severity of the disease and develop new therapies to treat patients.

In 2010, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 102,900 new cases of colon cancer and 39,670 new cases of rectal cancer in the United States. The findings of Guarne and her research team will hopefully reduce the death rate of colorectal cancer, which is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the country.

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By Robert Hung