Russian scientists have discovered a protein in lung tissue that can reduce the risk of cancer. If this genome can be artificially increased, it will inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Russian scientists have found a way to augment the Lynx1 protein using its water-soluble analogue. Lynx1 is a signaling molecule exchanged between human nerve cells in the brain. The molecule activates the nicotinic receptors, changing the behavior of neurons and associated cells, RIA Novosti reports.
It appears that other cells located in the lungs and kidneys have similar receptors that also respond to Lynx1 molecules. According to the scientists, this protein can affect the growth of tissues of these cells, and therefore the development of various forms of cancer caused by nicotine.
The medics have conducted an experiment in which they grew several cultures of skin, lung and kidney tumor cells and analyzed whether those cells produced Lynx1 molecules and how these molecules react to cancer cells. As it turned out, the molecules do not stimulate the growth of tumor tissues, but suppress it. This means cancer can be suppressed by using a synthetic analogue of Lynx1.