Tumor-suppressor Protein Gives Up Its Secrets
Tuesday, July 9, 2013 - 17:30
in Biology & Nature
PTEN is shown in its active (above) and inactive (below) forms. Genetic mutations aren't the only thing that can keep a protein called PTEN from doing its tumor-suppressing job. Johns Hopkins researchers have now discovered that four small chemical tags attached (reversibly) to the protein's tail can have the same effect, and they say their finding may offer a novel path for drug design to keep PTEN working.