Sunday, November 2, 2014

Significant Research Breakthrough for Lupus, Cancers and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Research teams from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute combined to discover both the three-dimensional structure of a key cell death protein, Bak, as well as an understanding of the first steps in how Bak causes cell death. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, occurs when chemical signals activate Bak and Bax. The activation of Bak and Bax tells the cell to die by targeting the mitochondria. When apoptosis is working effectively unwanted cells are killed and removed from the body. However, when trouble with apoptosis occurs harmful cells, such as cancer cells, continue to grow or healthy cells die unnecessarily, such as what happens in Alzheimer's disease.



Specifically, the team’s research showed how Bak changes from one form to another form in order to initiate apoptosis. Additionally, the research team discovered how the Bak and Bax protein dimers attach to the mitochondria and perforate the mitochondria. It has been understood that the Bak and Bax dimers open the mitochondrial surface; however, the mechanism for how the dimers perforate the mitochondria was previously poorly understood.


Scientists originally believed that Bak and Bax poked a hole through the surface of the mitochondria; however, the team’s research disproved this belief. Instead the team discovered that the dimers attach onto the oily surface of the mitochondria and crowd the surface until holes form in the surface. What still remains unknown is exactly how the proteins come together to destroy the mitochondria and initiate apoptosis.


I found this article very interesting because this small development will lead to a much greater understanding of apoptosis in the future. Now that researchers are able to understand the structures of the proteins involved apoptosis they have the necessary information to begin advancing towards a deeper understanding of apoptosis, specifically the initiation of the process. This research will be crucial to understanding how to regulate apoptosis to combat diseases such as lupus, cancers and neurodegenerative diseases.  

1 comment:

  1. I really like this article. A good friend of mine has lupus and has major problems with her platelet counts. Now I understand why this happens to her, because apoptosis is not working normally and her healthy cells are dying unnecessarily. This discovery is a huge step in finding cures to diseases such as lupus. Great post.

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