Defective protein factories in disease: A double-edged sword of cell division

Defective protein factories in disease
Illustration of a defective ribosome that is producing a protein, the bubbles surrounding it refer to the toxic substances that are released in the cell. Credit: © Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer

Ever since the 1960s, the researchers have wondered why some patients who suffer from illnesses resulting from inadequate cell division are much more susceptible to cancer, which is conversely characterized by excessive cell division. This unsolved paradox—also known as Dameshek's Riddle—has puzzled the scientific community for years. The Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer in Leuven, Belgium now reports how defective ribosomes can cause both insufficient and excessive cell division.

A number of these diseases are related to defects in the essential cellular protein factories called ribosomes, and are therefore named ribosomopathies. The in ribosomopathy patients do not divide sufficiently, resulting in a very broad spectrum of cellular insufficiency symptoms, from anaemia to growth retardation. While there are treatments for some of these symptoms, the increased likelihood of developing makes these disorders particularly challenging to understand and cure.

The Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer in Leuven, Belgium, has now reports the mechanism of how defective ribosomes can cause both insufficient and excessive cell division. "Defects in ribosomes have two consequences for cells. On the one hand, the defective ribosomes make specific kinds of mistakes, which leads to the increased production of the proteins that nourish cancer cells. At the same time, these defects cause a build-up of toxic substances that the cells, forcing them to grow and divide less. The cell suffers from several different kinds of damage, including DNA damage. This in turn causes mutations," explains Professor Kim De Keersmaecker, head of the Laboratory for Disease Mechanisms in Cancer.

In a later, second phase, the cellular balance shifts. "All these mutations will eventually include one that is able to compensate for the cell damage and 'rescue' the cell, allowing cell division to increase. At that point, can take advantage of the high availability of proteins that favour their growth. This opens the floodgates, with ever-increasing cancer protein levels and even better rescuing mutations protecting cells from damage. This allows a tumour to grow in an uncontrolled way."

This study provides a solution to the Dameshek's Riddle with regard to ribosome defects. The discovery of this new paradigm also turns ribosome defects into an attractive target in the fight against cancer, explains De Keersmaecker: "We see these defects both in congenital and non-congenital cancers. And now we also know that ribosome defects can give rise to a whole series of additional cellular defects. In other words, if we can tackle the cause, we can prevent many of the downstream problems. This is the research track we are currently exploring."

More information: Sergey O. Sulima et al, Ribosomal lesions promote oncogenic mutagenesis., Cancer Research (2018). DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-18-1987

Journal information: Cancer Research
Provided by KU Leuven
Citation: Defective protein factories in disease: A double-edged sword of cell division (2018, November 29) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-11-defective-protein-factories-disease-double-edged.html
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