New Discovery of Protein Structure May Help Fight Cancer,HIV!
Scientists have discovered the structure of a receptor protein that plays a vital role in the growth of cancer and HIV infection. The receptor is nicknamed CXCR4. Scientists say that the finding of this receptor will help them understand how it works, and how they can stop its activity of infecting cells. Also, by knowing the structure of the receptor protein, researchers will now be able to block its binding site that can prevent signals from being received or given out from the cell. Study researcher Raymond C. Stevens, of the Scripps Research Institute Of California, and other scientists found the CXCR4's molecules using an imaging technique called X-ray crystallography. The molecules were forming pairs that allow the receptor to receive signals from outside the cell. In order to read about the article click on the word "receptor protein". I think that it is great that the protein structure of HIV cancer has been discovered. Now, this epidemic can be stopped and hopefully cured.
I found this article especially interesting because cancer is something that has affected everyone in one way or another, especially my family. I, like many others, have lost too many family and friends to cancer. Any step toward figuring out how cancer and HIV work is a step toward finding a cure. Hopefully the discovery of this receptor protein will help researchers better understand how cancer works, find a way to stop cancer growth, and ultimately stop and prevent cancer completely. We are a long way away from preventing cancer, but any step, no matter how small, is vital.
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