Download Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. M. Nenckiego PAN

Instytut Biologii Doświadczalnej im. M.
Nenckiego PAN
Loss of Grainy head-like 1 is associated with disruption of the epidermal
barrier and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
2014-05-13
The human genome contains approximately 20,000
protein coding genes which are responsible for the
formation, development and functioning of the human
body. A similar number of genes exists in the mouse
genome. In this pool only some genes – called tumor
suppressors – can initiate the production of proteins
having anti-cancer properties. Polish-Australian team
of researchers from the Nencki Institute of
Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of
Sciences in Warsaw and Monash University Central
Clinical School in Melbourne showed that one of the
genes, known as GRHL1, displays anti-cancer effects
which is protective against skin cancer of nonmelanoma type.
Mice with inactivated Grhl1 gene were used in the
study. When subjected to a standard method of
induction of skin tumors with chemical substances, the Grhl1-deficient mice displayed a
significantly increased incidence of skin cancer as compared to control mice in which the
Grhl1 gene functioned normally. In addition, the mechanism of Grhl1 function, responsible for
its anti-cancer properties was investigated.
The discovery of a new anti-oncogene may lead to the development of diagnostic tests
allowing identification of people with an increased risk of skin cancer, and thus contribute to
more effective prevention of this disease. Furthermore, the development of methods to
pharmacologically stimulate the activity of Grhl1 may lead to the invention of new anticancer
drugs.