UNBC Researchers Make Cancer Discoveries
February 5, 2007
A biochemistry research team at the University of Northern BritishColumbia has made three findings related to their research on cancer.Their results are appearing today in a prestigious genetic researchjournal – Nucleic Acids Research – published by Oxford University Press.
The article was authored by Dan Sparanese, a UNBC student who had beenconducting the research as part of his master’s degree program, and Dr.Chow Lee, a UNBC biochemistry professor. Their results follow severalyears of research in Prince George and focus on two naturally occurringproteins that contribute to the rapid growth of cancer cells and theirresistance to treatments such as chemotherapy. These are two of theaspects that makes cancer so deadly.
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A biochemistry research team at the University of Northern BritishColumbia has made three findings related to their research on cancer.Their results are appearing today in a prestigious genetic researchjournal – Nucleic Acids Research – published by Oxford University Press. |
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In particular, they have been the first to identify an enzyme that candestroy two messenger RNAs (mRNA) that carry the genetic code for twoproteins implicated in cancer: c-myc, which is known to contribute tothe rapid growth of cancer cells, and MDR1, which blocks theeffectiveness of cancer treatment. They have also proven that anotherprotein, called CRD-BP, binds to both c-myc and MDR1 mRNAs and preventsthe enzyme from destroying them. Future research will aim to determinemore information about the enzyme and its relationship to CRD-BP incontrolling mRNAs, thereby controlling the aggressiveness of cancercells.
“There are hundreds of thousands of mRNAs in the body, which lead tothe production of hundreds of thousands of proteins. We’ve focused onc-myc and MDR1 because of their close link to cancer,” says Dr. Lee.“These discoveries won’t lead to a quick cure – that’s many years awayat best – but I’m very proud to have had the opportunity to be theleader of a talented group of students who have worked with me over thepast several years at UNBC. It’s truly remarkable that this kind ofresearch is even conducted in Prince George, at a small university.”
UNBC is the smallest university in Canada to conduct research supportedby the National Cancer Institute of Canada, with funds from theCanadian Cancer Society. Funding for the research has also beenprovided by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ofCanada, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, and the Canadian LiverFoundation.
Contact:
Dr. Chow Lee, Biochemistry professor, UNBC – 250.960.5413
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622