X-Message-Number: 29772
From: "Chris Manning" <>
References: <>
Subject: News item - Suicidal cells may provide fresh clues to life
Date: Sat, 25 Aug 2007 11:10:23 +1000

Suicidal cells may provide fresh clues to life

Chee Chee Leung
August 25, 2007

MELBOURNE scientists have gained a world-first insight into how a virus 
prevents cell "suicide", a development that may one day lead to better 
treatments for cancer.

Researchers used the Australian Synchrotron in Clayton to examine in fine 
detail how the protein from a virus hijacks the "death message" that tells 
infected cells to die.

By working out how a virus keeps cells alive, scientists hope to learn more 
about cancer, which also blocks the cell suicide switch and allows disease 
to spread.

"It provides us with a very, very deep fundamental understanding of what 
governs the death of a cell," Dr Marc Kvansakul said. This would help 
researchers to design treatments that stop viruses - and eventually 
cancers - from switching off the message to self-destruct.

The study was carried out by Dr Kvansakul and colleagues at the Walter and 
Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne.

Cell suicide, also known as programmed cell death or apoptosis, is an 
important part of human health, as it ensures unwanted cells are killed off.



http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/suicidal-cells-may-provide-fresh-clues-to-life/2007/08/24/1187462524664.html

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http://tinyurl.com/ypld7j 

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