aakriti.aaloka: February 2013

Researchers discover protein that may control the spread of cancer

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Researchers at the University of Hawai'i Cancer Center have uncovered a novel mechanism that may lead to more selective ways to stop cancer cells from spreading. Associate Professor Joe W. Ramos PhD, a cancer biologist at the UH Cancer Center and his team have identified the role of the protein RSK2 in cancer cell migration, part of the process of cancer metastasis.

Cancer becomes metastatic when cells break away from the primary tumor and spread to other parts of the body. Metastatic cancer is much more difficult to treat and patients with metastatic cancer have a generally worse prognosis. "The cancers that kill are those that spread to other parts of the body or disseminate within the organ," said Ramos. "If we could keep cancer cells confined to the primary tumor mass, we could remove it with less risk of metastasis and later recurrence."

The Ramos team reports that RSK2 significantly increases cell migration in part by reducing integrin activation. Integrins play an important role in cell adhesion to their surrounding tissue and the migration of tumor cells to new locations in the body. RSK is active in both breast and prostate tumors, and promotes proliferation in these cells. It can also promote cell invasion and metastasis in head and neck cancers in addition to lung cancer and neuroblastoma.

"We focused on understanding the process of cell adhesion," said Ramos. "Integrins help the cell move by grabbing onto proteins and cells in their surroundings, pulling, then releasing and grabbing on again. Blocking a cancer cell's ability to adhere and move can control further dissemination of some metastasis. There are drugs that kill cancer cells and there are drugs that stop the division of cancer cells, but there are far fewer drugs that specifically stop the movement of cancer cells. Our work suggests that drugs that interfere with RSKs may help control or prevent metastasis."

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The study: "RSK2 Protein Suppresses Integrin Activation and Fibronectin Matrix Assembly and Promotes Cell Migration" is published in the December 21, 2012 edition of The Journal of Biological Chemistry. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3527930/

University of Hawaii Cancer Center: http://www.uhcancercenter.org/

Thanks to University of Hawaii Cancer Center for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/127024/Researchers_discover_protein_that_may_control_the_spread_of_cancer

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Maine man can whistle, but he must keep moving

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) ? A man charged with disorderly conduct for his loud whistling in downtown Portland has reached a deal with the city ? he can whistle, but he can't linger in one spot.

Robert Smith, of Westbrook, has been cited by police twice in the past year after businesses complained. He pleaded guilty last summer and reached a deal with the city in which he can keep whistling as long as he's moving.

Smith maintains that his whistling ? audible a block away ? is protected free speech and usually brings smiles.

"God is showing me what I'm doing is OK," he told The Portland Press Herald (http://bit.ly/15e6AEN). "He shows me every day with laughter."

But downtown businesses have complained about the 32-year-old Smith's never-ending noise-making.

Janis Beitzer, of the Portland Downtown District, understands why some business owners are upset.

"Just like if somebody plays an instrument in front of your business or has the radio on constantly, it's irritating," Beitzer said.

Smith said he works a construction job during the summer, but when he's not working he usually takes a bus into Portland and walks downtown streets from about 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., wearing a baseball cap, wrap-around sunglasses and a backpack while listening to classic rock and oldies through his headphones.

As he walks the streets, some people laugh and smile. But others scowl or roll their eyes in disgust, making rude comments after passing by.

In a plea agreement last summer, Smith pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct and agreed to no longer whistle while standing in one place. As long as he's walking while he whistles, authorities agreed not to bother him.

The prosecutor, Trish McAllister, disagreed that Smith's whistling is protected by the First Amendment. A Portland city ordinance says whistling, hooting and other unnecessary noises that "annoy, disturb or injure the health, peace or safety of others" are forms of disorderly conduct.

"The judge and I viewed this as a behavioral issue," she said. "(Smith) was aggressive. He would follow people who gave him a wrong look."

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Information from: Portland Press Herald, http://www.pressherald.com

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/aa9398e6757a46fa93ed5dea7bd3729e/Article_2013-02-25-Walking%20Whistler/id-80aff390487242cfb984909908e631d9

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