Turn the molecular clock back!

"We are very interested in how MYCN reprograms tumor metabolism," said Dr.

Since BMAL1 and RORa inhibition allows tumor cells to grow, the researchers wanted to know whether restoring the components of these molecular clocks would stop the growth of neuroblastoma cells

The restoration of the clock prevents the growth of the tumor

"Our strategy of restoring BMAL1 expression also prevented tumor growth, indicating that the inhibition of the molecular clock is indeed carcinogenic," Barbieri said

The team’s research also showed that restoring BMAL1 expression and molecular clock function can make neuroblastoma sensitive to traditional chemotherapy, providing a potential future treatment

"Our cells follow the molecular clock that controls cell metabolism, just like the body's circadian rhythm controls the sleep cycle

Journal Reference :

1. Myrthala Moreno-Smith, Giorgio Milazzo, Ling Tao, Baharan Fekry, Bokai Zhu, Mahmoud A.