Progress has been made recently in the search for a treatment to cure
colon cancer. On October 6, 2006, The Journal of Biological Chemistry
published a study about this and the results were astounding. They
found out a particular molecule that is most probably one of the major
cause of colon cancer worldwide. This particular molecule is termed as
the C-Terminal Binding Protein or (CTBP).
The C-Terminal Binding Protein is found in 85% of those diagnosed with
colon cancer, this figure is astonishing and it proves beyond doubt
that controlling this particular molecule is the answer to most of the
cases in colon cancer in humans.
By immobilizing this particular molecule, doctors can stop the mutation
that this molecule will brought about in the human gene called
adenomatous polyposis coli, by doing this, doctors would prevent their
patients from having colon cancer as this mutation is actually the
first and foremost step in the development of colon cancer.
The scenario we can see in a human that has healthy cells, the
adenomatous polyposis coli gene in humans would actually stop the
spread of the C-Terminal Binding Protein by destroying it, therefore
controlling the amount of this particular molecule in the body, the
problem arises when the adenomatous polyposis coli gene has already
mutated because it would no longer be able to control the amount of
C-Terminal Binding Protein in the body. If this mutation isn't stopped,
the human intestine would not be able to function normally.
One of the results that come from C-Terminal Binding Protein is that it
stops the normal procedure in the body that turns the Vitamin A it
accumulated that later change into retinoic acid. If the Vitamin A
isn't changed into retinoic acid as is the normal procedure, the body
would not be able to manufacture normal cells because retinoic acid is
actually the ones responsible for the determination of what kinds of
cells the body should form and how long these cells will remain in the
body.
If the body had retained an unnecessary amount of C-Terminal Binding
Protein, it could be dangerous as this could lead to colon cancer. The
reason for this is because the body would not be able to produce
adequate amount of retinoic acid that it really needs. So when in the
mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli the culprit, the C-Terminal
Binding Protein is removed, the result would be the restoration of the
normal function in the intestines because the level of manufacturing
the retinoic acid that is of utmost importance was made to be back to
normal.
But the downside to this otherwise beneficial breakthrough is that the
C-Terminal Binding Protein is an unfamiliar agent to stop or remove
from the body. Researchers are now studying some drugs that can help
the body in stopping the actions of the C-Terminal Binding Protein
before it poses a greater threat to the human body.
Understanding the importance of retinoic acid and its role in
preventing the mutation of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene in the
human body is important. By understanding the functions of our body
better we will be able to protect ourselves against colon cancer and
also safeguard our over all health.
This particular study is really an essential break through because
right now cancer in the colon is one of the cancers that really kills
people especially in the United States. This type of cancer is also one
of the common types found in the Western World.
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