LEFT: a protective barrier of activin B expression (red) is present in normal pancreatic islets. RIGHT: the barrier is absent in islet tumors. Cyan: cell nuclei. Credit: Iacovos Michael/EPFL
Scientists at EPFL have discovered a biological "barrier" that prevents cancer cells from forming new tumors and more importantly, from metastasizing. The study examines pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and breast cancer. Activins are proteins involved in a number of important biological functions, including the regulation of the menstrual cycle, cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism, homeostasis, immune response, wound repair, and endocrine function. Activin B is one of the activin proteins. It binds and activates a receptor called ALK7 - a member of the tumor growth factor beta (TGFß) receptors superfamily. When activated, ALK7 triggers a domino effect of molecular and biochemical reactions (a "signaling pathway") that result in various changes across the cell. Now, a team of researchers spearheaded by the lab of Douglas Hanahan at EPFL have found that activin B and ALK7 expressed by cancer cells can form a "barrier" that not only prevents them from forming new tumors, but also from metastasizing.
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