Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery about the estrogen receptor, a protein linked to about 70% of all breast cancers. This new finding, published in Nature, reveals previously unknown regions of the estrogen receptor that play a key role in how breast cancer cells grow. Understanding these molecular “switches” offers new hope for developing more effective treatments for breast cancer and other diseases.
The estrogen receptor acts as a control system for how cells grow and function. In breast cancer, this protein can influence the behavior of cells in ways that promote tumor growth. The research team, led by Sichun Yang, an associate professor of nutrition at the School of Medicine, uncovered flexible yet precisely coordinated molecular switches within the estrogen receptor. These switches work together to regulate cellular processes. Altering even one part of the protein can trigger a chain reaction that affects how cancer cells grow.
A Step Toward More Effective Cancer Treatments
This breakthrough could lead to more effective cancer therapies, especially as current treatments targeting the estrogen receptor can lose their effectiveness over time. Despite early successes, many patients develop resistance to these treatments, making them less effective. The discovery of the new molecular switches opens the possibility for drugs that target these regions, offering a fresh way to control the estrogen receptor without simply shutting it down.
Yang explains, “Rather than just turning off the estrogen receptor, future treatments might be designed to target these newly identified switches, providing more precise control over the protein’s function.”
The study used advanced techniques like small-angle X-ray scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the protein’s structure in great detail. Researchers from Arizona State University and Ohio State University collaborated with Yang’s team, with additional support from the National Institutes of Health, the American Cancer Society, and the Mary Kay Ash Foundation.
Implications Beyond Breast Cancer
While further research is needed to translate these findings into practical treatments, the discovery is not limited to breast cancer. These molecular switches are likely involved in many other diseases, offering new possibilities for understanding and treating a variety of health conditions.
Mark Chance, director of the Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics at the School of Medicine, praised the work, saying, “Yang’s research demonstrates the power of cutting-edge technology and collaboration in answering complex scientific questions. These national research facilities are helping us make breakthroughs that could lead to new cancer treatments.”
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