Posted on 06/30/2022 7:10:46 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
Mitochondria are the power plants of cells, and they contain their own genetic material and RNA molecules. Scientists have now discovered that certain modifications in mitochondrial RNA boost the invasive spread of cancer cells by supporting protein synthesis in mitochondria. They have established that a specific gene expression signature correlating with high levels of mitochondrial RNA modifications is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in patients with head and neck cancer. When the researchers blocked the responsible RNA modifying enzyme in cancer cells, the number of metastases was reduced. Certain antibiotics that suppress protein synthesis in mitochondria were also able to prevent the invasive spread of cancer cells in laboratory experiments.
Mitochondria are tiny, membrane-enveloped structures known as the powerhouse of every cell in our body. For energy production, they use the so-called respiratory chain present in the mitochondrial membrane. Because mitochondria contain their own genetic material, they themselves produce key components of the respiratory chain.
A specific enzyme, the methyltransferase NSUN3, is responsible for the m5C RNA modification. When the scientists switched NSUN3 off, the mitochondrial tRNA was less modified and the invasive spread of the cancer cells decreased.
Could NSUN3 function as a biomarker for metastatic cancer? Gene expression signatures indicating high cellular NSUN3 levels and elevated m5C levels were indeed predictive for lymph node metastases and more severe disease progression in patients with head and neck cancer.
Certain antibiotics curb mitochondrial protein synthesis without affecting general protein synthesis in the cell's plasma. The researchers therefore assumed that these agents should affect cancer cells similarly to loss of NSUN3. Indeed, treatment with antibiotics such as chloramphenicol or doxycycline, reduced the invasive spread of cancer cells. Antibiotic administration also reduced the number of lymph node metastases in a mouse model.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
I tried to get my wife to take doxycycline as she was dying from cancer, but she was afraid it would wipe out what was left of her immune system.
Don't know...sorry. (I just hope you're not overly suffering) :(
Ditto! That's why I took it (only) prophlatically & (only) 1x/week.
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