Discovered a substance that acts against the ‘dark genome’ of cancer

A research study coordinated by Manel Esteller, of the Institute of Biomedical Research of Bellvitge (IDIBELL) has identified a substance that inhibits cancer growth by activating the so-called “dark genome (or non-coding DNA) and micro-RNA molecules. The study appears this week in the prestigious scientific journal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

The human body cells have a genome (the set of our DNA) encoding our proteins such as keratin in the skin or blood hemoglobin. This genome with encoding DNA represents only the 5% of our genetic material. The remaining 95% is called the ‘dark genome’ or non-coding DNA and its role is largely unknown. Part of this DNA produces small charged molecules called micro-RNAs that activate or deactivate genes. In recent years it has been shown that alterations in these molecules are related to tumor formation. Enoxacine

Researchers have shown that small-molecule enoxacin, used in antibacterial compounds, binds to the protein that builds micro-RNA and stimulates their inhibitory activity of the tumor growth. According to researcher Manel Esteller “is like we have a second hand car and we put an engine just out of the factory.” It has been tested both in laboratory cells and in animal models and now its behavior should be studied in human. Esteller says so, and he has stressed that the advantage of this compound is its known metabolism and its human security. Esteller added that “although the use of this molecule may not get approved in cancer treatment, this finding opens the door to design new drugs that use microRNA as a therapeutic target. We show the pharmaceutical industry a new direction where to direct their efforts in anti-tumor therapy.”

Article reference Sonia Melo*, Alberto Villanueva*, Catia Moutinho*, Verónica Davalos*, Ricardo Spizzo, Cristina Ivan , Simona Rossi, Fernando Setien*, Oriol Casanovas*, Laia Sio-Riudalbas*, Javier Carmona*, Jordi Carrere*, August Vidal*, Álvaro Aytes*, Sara Puertas*, Santiagio Ropero, Raghu Kalluri, Carlo M. Croce, George A. Calin, Manel Esteller*. The small molecule enoxacin is a cancer-specific growth inhibitor that acts by enhancing TRBP-mediated microRNA processing. Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA (PNAS), Early Edition, February 28th 2011.

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