JERUSALEM, April 27 (Xinhua) -- An international team of researchers has discovered a new way cells can create cancer-driving proteins, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem said in a statement on Monday.
Normally, cells follow clear instructions from genetic material to build proteins.
However, in their new study published in Cell Reports, the researchers found that cells can sometimes cut genetic material into smaller pieces and still produce working proteins, a process they call "RNA dicing."
The team focused on a gene called JAK1, which helps control how cells grow and respond to signals in the body. In its normal form, it helps keep cell growth under control, but the study found that when it is altered, it can contribute to cancer.
The researchers discovered that JAK1 can produce a shorter version of its protein. This shorter version is still active, but it may push cells to grow uncontrollably, which can lead to cancer.
They also found that some genetic mutations can increase this harmful version while reducing the normal protective one. This may help explain why some cancers grow more aggressively than others.
According to the researchers, the discovery could lead to more precise and effective cancer treatments, as patients with these genetic changes may respond better to certain drugs that block this process. ■
