INTERESTING ENGINEERING - Scientists have developed a peptide that holds promise in controlling the activity of the MYC protein, a key contributor to exacerbating 75 percent of human cancer cases.
According to researchers from the University of California, Riverside, this discovery might pave the way for developing more effective cancer treatments.
The identified peptide compound binds to the shapeless MYC protein and efficiently inhibits its function.
As per the release, this protein guides the transcription process in normal cells, converting genetic information from DNA to RNA and, ultimately, into proteins.
"Normally, MYC's activity is strictly controlled. In cancer cells, it becomes hyperactive and is not regulated properly," said Min Xue, a UCR associate professor of chemistry.