Immortality protein
1994/11/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria
Why do cancer cells multiply indefinitely as if there is no death? This immortality seems to be related to the synthesis of a special enzyme called telomerase. This protein is not found in normal cells, according to researchers from the Canadian university McMaster under the command of Dr. Calvin Harley.
Normally healthy cells divide about fifty times before they die. This programmed death is due to the peculiar structure of the ends of the chromosomes, formed by the so-called telomeres. They have genes identified and their function would be similar to that of the small metal pieces that are placed at the ends of the cordeles shoes. As the cell divides over and over, telomeres are also removed and when there is finally no other, the cell dies.
According to the researchers, telomerasia would prevent the elimination of telomeres from genes. Therefore, researchers want to synthesize this enzyme to force cancer cells to die.
