New insights into how antibodies are made suggests new approach for anti-cancer drug targets

Tuesday, August 10, 2010 - 08:21 in Biology & Nature

While investigating how white blood cells known as B cells develop, researchers have discovered that genes from the Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3Ks) family of enzymes are critical in enabling the B cells to produce antibodies in the spleen and lymph nodes. PI3Ks are involved in a diverse range of activities inside cells, generating signalling molecules to control cell growth, proliferation, motility, survival and intracellular trafficking. Faults in these processes can lead to the development of cancer; consequently the PI3Ks are currently among the most hotly pursued drug targets in the pharmaceutical industry.

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