3D Printed Models of Protein Complexes Key to Cancer Treatments

London (PNA/Xinhua) — Researchers created large-scale 3D printed models of protein complexes which were vital components in the process of DNA replication, and these models could hold the key to future cancer treatments, according to a study released Tuesday by the Imperial College London.

When our cells copy their DNA to grow and replicate, it is vital the process runs smoothly. When it doesn’t, mistakes are made that can lead to cell death or cancer. To get DNA replication right, cells use a complex “machine”, made from many hundreds of components.

Researchers from the Imperial College London tried to create large-scale 3D printed models of these protein component structures, based on high resolution microscope images.

The 3D models help the researchers to visualize how tiny protein components assemble together to form the complex copying machine, each and every time it is required.

Through the models, the researchers found that if they blocked one key protein, Cdc6, from joining the “machine”, the “machine” jammed and DNA copying stopped.

So Cdc6 motor activity made sure the process worked smoothly, and kept the production line going, said Christian Speck, who led the study. “It’s a sort of quality control protein.”

The findings may one day help to improve cancer treatments. Current chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells by damaging their DNA, but they can also harm the DNA in healthy cells. This can cause mutations that ultimately drive the cells to develop into secondary tumors.

If researchers could develop a treatment that targets the cellular machinery that copies DNA, instead of targeting the DNA itself, they may be able to reduce the risk of such side effects, according to the study. (PNA/Xinhua) JBP/EBP