Left, center: structure of CPTP. Right: surface electrostatics of CPTP showing positive-, blue, and negative-, red, charged residues (Simanshu DK et al).
Posted on 08/07/2013 7:35:02 PM PDT by CutePuppy
The scientists discovered that the ceramide-1 phosphate transport protein (CPTP) regulates levels of biologically active lipids, which are molecules such as fatty acids that often play a role in cell signaling.
They found that CPTP's main function is to transport ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), a lipid that helps regulate cell growth, survival, migration and inflammation. Specifically, C1P increases the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids – powerful signaling molecules that contribute to chronic inflammation in diseases such as cancer, asthma, atherosclerosis and thrombosis – and the discovery of CPTP sheds a light on the cellular mechanisms that contribute to these diseases.
"We may have identified the newest target for treating cancer. Because of the important role this protein plays in a number of cellular functions, it could also have large implications for a variety of diseases like cancer that are caused by inflammation,"
The team was able to determine the composition of the bioactive lipids regulated by CPTP. Residing in the cytosol, or the liquid within cells, the scientists found that CPTP regulates catabolism of C1P, a process that breaks down the molecule in order to release its energy. They also demonstrated that CPTP transports C1P to the cellular membrane where it helps synthesize eicosanoids from fatty acids in the membrane.
The scientists provided further proof that C1P regulates group IVA phospholipase A2, an enzyme that promotes inflammation through the production of a fatty acid known as arachidonic acid. The release of arachidonic acid via C1P activation of this enzyme was shown to trigger the production of eicosanoids. These findings help to explain the reported link between ceramide kinase, the enzyme responsible for C1P production, and poor prognosis in breast cancer patients, which further suggests that alleviation of systemic inflammation may lead to better prognosis and better treatment responses. .....
(Excerpt) Read more at sci-news.com ...
This may be bigger than yet another way to treat cancer - this may expose the cellular mechanism of inflammation and lead both to treatment and possible prevention of inflammation as causative or contributory factor in many diseases, including auto-immune.
See also a recent discovery of cellular component, protein eEF2K, that may be necessary for cancer cells to survive: New Method of Killing Cancer Cells Developed - FR, 2013 July 19
Bibliographic information: Simanshu DK et al. Non-vesicular trafficking by a ceramide-1-phosphate transfer protein regulates eicosanoids. Nature, published online July 17, 2013; doi: 10.1038/nature12332
The target is discovery of potential inflammation-contributing protein.
Does any company produce a diagostic to identify this material in vivo?
The actual findings were submitted to Nature in July of 2012, and published a year after, so it's possible that active product research and/or trials are being done.
Pictures?
Didn’t read the whole article but researchers will eventually identify a few characteristics or peculiarities unique only to cancer cells but not healthy ones. With that knowledge, they will come up with various methods to effectively target and kill cancer cells anywhere in the body.
That’s where the major efforts are now - identifying the commonalities within multiple (hopefully all, there is more than 200) types of cancers or mechanisms of pathological growth, to use in both the early diagnostics and treatments, and selectively targeting only tumor tissue, without harming the rest of the body and immune system.
Often it comes down to pattern matching, and it’s somewhat easier now with the advent of Big Data and networks of computers and [database] languages which can analyze vast amounts of complex unstructured/semi-structured data collection.
“Often it comes down to pattern matching, …”
I’m curious what those patterns are. Could you give some examples?
Are you asking for examples of specific identifiable patterns of behaviour that are common to cancer growth or apoptosis? Or are you asking about how pattern matching process can be used, in general, to identify signals of either abnormality/pathology or its inhibition?
In the past, many medical (and chemical, physical, astronomical etc.) discoveries have been made by serendipity.
Now, by collecting and algorithmically processing an immense amount of data which isn't entirely random, it's possible to look for either patterns or abnormalities in the stream of data. This tremendously speeds up the process of either confirming or discarding preliminary theory or postulate. Obviously, if false postulate is not discarded initially, it may take a lot of time to study it, before rejecting.
It's the same or similar process that is used by NSA, FBI, IRS (e.g., phone call outside or regular "range" or "zone"; history/pattern of anti-social behaviour; standard of living outpaces reported income etc.), Facebook/Google/Amazon/eBay/Netflix (e.g., "personalized" advertising from social media based on your behavioural buying/searching/interest pattern) etc. etc.
Occasionally, patterns that initially seem infallible turn out to be false when the series (number of elements or processes) is extended - just ask the researchers of prime numbers series :~)
For pure fun can check this out : Patterns in Prime Number Series
I was being a bit facetious, but pictures are always appreciated. Thanks.
No problem. I didn’t initially provide the pic because I wasn’t sure if anybody would be interested :~)
My question was indeed ambiguous and didn’t make much sense in this forum. I am somewhat relieved seeing that your tagline was there long before the question was asked.
Somehow I was stuck thinking in terms of pictorial patterns; but the first sentence of your reply got me unstuck immediately. Of course, the data in question are large collections of measurements on cell chemistry, on different types of cells, etc, from which patterns and trends can be identified and compared.
I really appreciate your trying to cover all the bases with a super-condensed “The History of Scientific Discoveries”, or, better, “A Primer on Pattern Matching”, even in the face of a very poor question. Someone who is both knowledgeable and patient is a rarity these days.
The Prime Number Series Patterns appear to be something interesting and I have saved the link for later. Thank you again for your thoughtful reply.
You are very welcome. I am glad that my explanation set you on the right track, and I appreciate and very much enjoyed the compliments.
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