A sticky protein found outside cells could be the cause of breast cancer
| Jul 9, 2018, 13:57 IST
Researchers are on a constant lookout as to finding a solution to cancer or even searching for ways to detect how cancer forms. A new study we came across has uncovered that a protein called fibronectin promotes the activity of estrogen in breast cancer cells. This could be the reason behind breast cancer growth.
The study, 'Fibronectin rescues estrogen receptor a from lysosomal degradation in breast cancer cells' was led by Rocío Sampayo. The study found that exposure to fibronectin prolongs the activity of estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The hormone, estrogen plays a key role in the development of healthy cells and, in many cases, cancerous cells. The estrogen attaches to cellular estrogen receptors, which promote cell growth and survival. But too much activity of this sort could cause cells to proliferate rapidly, leading to tumour growth.
"In the normal mammary gland, epithelial cells are not in contact with fibronectin," said Sampayo. Sampayo and his fellow researchers discovered that fibronectin boosts estrogen receptors' activity in breast cancer cells. The researchers found that when breast cancer cells are surrounded by fibronectin, the estrogen receptors avoid destruction by lysosomes which are essentially cellular garbage disposal units and it can continue to drive cancer cell growth. "This would allow breast cancer cells to become resistant to common endocrine therapy drugs that target the receptor," he added.
The study, 'Fibronectin rescues estrogen receptor a from lysosomal degradation in breast cancer cells' was led by Rocío Sampayo. The study found that exposure to fibronectin prolongs the activity of estrogen receptors in breast cancer cells. The hormone, estrogen plays a key role in the development of healthy cells and, in many cases, cancerous cells. The estrogen attaches to cellular estrogen receptors, which promote cell growth and survival. But too much activity of this sort could cause cells to proliferate rapidly, leading to tumour growth.
"In the normal mammary gland, epithelial cells are not in contact with fibronectin," said Sampayo. Sampayo and his fellow researchers discovered that fibronectin boosts estrogen receptors' activity in breast cancer cells. The researchers found that when breast cancer cells are surrounded by fibronectin, the estrogen receptors avoid destruction by lysosomes which are essentially cellular garbage disposal units and it can continue to drive cancer cell growth. "This would allow breast cancer cells to become resistant to common endocrine therapy drugs that target the receptor," he added.