New Delhi, July 3
A team of Australian scientists has identified a group of proteins that could transform approaches to treating cancer and age-related diseases.
Researchers at the Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) in Sydney discovered that these proteins play a crucial role in controlling telomerase -- an enzyme responsible for protecting DNA during cell division, news agency reported.
The breakthrough clarifies how telomerase both supports healthy ageing and fuels cancer cell growth, highlighting new possibilities for treatments that slow ageing or stop cancer by targeting these newly identified proteins, the team said.
Telomerase helps maintain the ends of chromosomes, known as telomeres, which are vital for genetic stability.
Telomerase adds DNA to the ends of chromosomes (telomeres) to protect them from damage.
While telomerase is essential for the health of stem cells and certain immune cells, cancer cells often exploit this enzyme to grow uncontrollably.
CMRI Researchers have now identified a new set of proteins that play a vital role in controlling this enzyme.