CHICAGO: Researchers believe they have unlocked the key to a new understanding of enzymes which could pave the way to developing drugs to treat diseases including cancer and Alzheimer’s.
The team, working under Professor John Schwabe from the University of Leicester’s Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, looked at the structure and function of proteins in the body involved in gene expression, called co-repressor complexes.
These contain enzymes which alter how DNA is packaged within cells.
They are involved in a number of different diseases from cancer to Alzheimer’s. Several drugs involving them are already in use for types of lymphoma and myelomas.
The work by Prof Schwabe and his team has improved knowledge of how the enzymes are activated by a particular molecule – inositol phosphate.
He said: “We wished to further understand the mechanism of enzyme activation by inositol phosphates and how substrate (chemical reaction) is recognised”…