New cancer target discovered: Mechanism by which PI3K sustains the proliferation of cancer cells
Thursday, February 28, 2013 - 17:30
in Biology & Nature
PI3K is a name given to a family of enzymes that are involved in cell growth, proliferation, differentiation and many other cellular functions. These enzymes are also implicated in many cancers and PI3K signalling is a target for treatments. Now, researchers have discovered a previously unrecognized mechanism by which PI3K sustains the proliferation of cancer cells. It appears that PI3K modulates the concentration of spermidine, a polyamine involved in cellular metabolism.