London: Scientists have cracked the structure of an essential part of an enzyme believed to play a key role in the development of many cancers.
The University of Colorado team hopes their work will help explain how the enzyme telomerase, acts to make cancer cells "immortal". They also hope it could lead to a new generation of more effective cancer drugs.
Developing therapies that block the action of telomerase would be a great way to treat many types of cancer.
It is thought that over-activity of telomerase contributes to the unchecked growth of as many as 90 per cent of human tumours.
The researchers say a lack of detailed information about its structure has hindered attempts to develop agents to block its effect.
Telomerase plays a key role in the development of the human embryo during pregnancy, by extending important areas at the tips of chromosomes called telomeres.
These came from a single-celled organism called a tetrahymena-the same organism in which telomerase was first discovered.
The researchers tested this theory by making tiny structural changes to this grooved area, and found this seemed to neutralise the enzyme's action.
"A molecule that would sit in that groove looks like it would completely abolish the ability of telomerase to work," lead researcher Dr Thomas Cech was quoted by the BBC, as saying.
"Developing therapies that block the action of telomerase would be a great way to treat many types of cancer,” Science Information Officer at Cancer Research UK, Dr Kat Arney also added.
Cyclist Lance Armstrong, the world’s longest cancer survivor could also be of inspiration to the researchers, perhaps.
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