Nature destroys the MYC hollow ball and the cancer cells die

The MYC gene and its proteins play a central role
in the initiation and progression of almost all cancers.
They drive uncontrolled growth and metabolic changes
in tumor cells.
They help tumors hide from the immune system
.
MYC proteins also show a previously unknown activity that now opens new doors for cancer research: They form hollow spheroids that protect particularly sensitive parts
of the genome.
If these MYC balls are destroyed, the cancer cells die
.

Reported in Nature by a team led by Martin Eilers and Elmar Wolf from the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the researchers believe their findings will be a game-changer in cancer research and an important breakthrough
leading to new therapeutic strategies.

Hollow spheres protect sensitive DNA sites

The researchers found that when cells in the lab were subjected to stress conditions similar to those of fast-growing tumor cells, the MYC protein in the nucleus rearranged
in a dramatic way.
They combine to form a hollow sphere made up of thousands of MYC
proteins.

These hollow spheres surround and protect individual, particularly sensitive sites in the genome—sites where two enzymes can collide: one that reads DNA to synthesize RNA, and the other that copies DNA
.
Both can be thought of as two trains
traveling on the same track of DNA.

The hollow sphere prevents the two enzymes from colliding
.
Würzburg's team was able to confirm this observation in cancer cells
.
If the protective function of the protein globules is turned off during the experiment, the enzymes collide, and as a result, the DNA undergoes multiple breaks, eventually killing the cancer cells
.

Look for particularly effective medications

"These observations have revolutionized our understanding of why the MYC protein is so important for tumor cell growth," Martin Eilers said
.
The new findings also raise the question of whether drugs can be developed specifically to prevent hollow ball formation
.

To drive this development, they set up a company
.
Together with JMU and partners in the pharmaceutical industry, research has begun
on drugs that interfere with the newly discovered function of the MYC protein.

"Investors allow us to set up companies so quickly, which certainly doesn't happen every day," JMU professors said
.
They also see it as a sign that they have made a very promising discovery
.