Possible Cancer Link of Newly Discovered Protein Interaction

Friday 15 April 2005

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research have discovered a new protein interaction which may have a role in tumour formation in several cancers.

Retinoblastoma protein (Rb) is a tumour suppressor protein that is of much interest in cancer research, as the loss of its function is implicated in many cancers. This research identifies a previously unrecognised way in which the tumour suppressor function of Rb may be weakened. This work, primarily funded by Cancer Research UK, has found RET finger protein (RFP) to be a cellular instrument that can restrain Rb’s activity. 

Rb in cells inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell differentiation and through these combined roles opposes tumour development.   When RFP binds to Rb it seems to selectively mute Rb’s ability to promote cell differentiation, which is thought to be required for effective suppression of tumour formation, whilst not affecting its regulatory role in the cell cycle. The evidence suggests that this mechanism may weaken Rb’s ability to suppress tumour formation yet allow tumours to retain cell cycle control, which may contribute to tumour survival.

Professor Peter Rigby, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, said: ‘This is an exciting first discovery in learning how inhibition of Rb by RFP may be related to tumour growth.’

Microarray data indicates that RFP might be present in larger quantities than normal in lung and prostate tumour cells. This may suggest that RFP’s inhibition of Rb has a role in the development of prostate and lung cancers. The Institute is conducting further research to examine this possible link.

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For more information, please contact:
Victoria Rae or Emma Hayes
The Institute of Cancer Research
Tel: 020 7153 5312

Email: [email protected]

Notes to editors

• The article by Dr Mittnacht and colleagues entitled ‘Selective ablation of retinoblastoma protein function by the RET finger protein’ will publish in the April 15th issue of Molecular Cell.
• Rb affects gene transcription both negatively and positively and through this regulates distinct cellular responses. It has a regulatory role in the cell cycle, inhibiting cell proliferation through gene repression, and it also promotes cell differentiation through augmenting gene transcription of other cellular pathways.
• RET Finger Protein (RFP) is also known as Tripartite Motif Protein 27 (TRIM 27)
• The research, led by scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research in the Cancer Research UK Centre for Cell and Molecular Biology and the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Research Centre and involved international collaboration with other scientific institutions. These institutions were the Dana Faber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston; Marburg University, Germany.
• The work was primarily funded by Cancer Research UK and was supported by The Leopold Muller Trust, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft. Additional grants were received from the Medical Research Council and the Association for International Cancer Research.
• The Institute of Cancer Research is a centre of excellence with some of the world’s leading scientists working on cutting edge projects. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
• The Institute is a charity that relies on voluntary income. The Institute is a highly cost-effective major cancer research organisation with over 90p in every £ directly supporting research.