Monday, 08 July 2019
Scientists have detected changes in electrical signals from different types of cancer cells, that could lead to the development of devices that can be sent to a tumour to ‘switch off’ the cells.
The looked at how cells swap electrons in three different lung cancer cell lines and showed that the magnitude of the electrical current emitted by cancer cells is linked to the aggressive nature of cancer. This new understanding of how cancer cells use electrons could lead to new treatments that stop them growing by starving them of electrical energy.
Powered by electrons
Cells in the body are powered by electrons and they can also send electrons outside their membranes or outer shell along biological ‘tracks’ made of proteins and other molecules. This process is known as trans-plasma membrane electron transfer (tPMET) and this new research shows how it is linked to the growth of cancer cells.
Energy is mostly produced in the mitochondria of a cell but in a rapidly dividing cancer cell it can’t keep up with demand so the cell switches to a pathway call glycosis which converts sugar into energy. This reduction in output from the mitrochondria allows free electrons to build up inside the cell and clogs up the glycosis process. With cancer cells these extra electrons are shed through tPMET.
During the research cells were engineered to reduce the number of tPMET relays, which caused the mitochondria to lose energy forcing the cells to increase electrical output – a result which surprised the researchers.
A surprise finding
Dr Frankie Rawson, from the 糖心原创’s School of Pharmacy led the research explains why this is significant:
We expected to see a slowdown in electron transmission when the mitrochondria became overworked, but what we actually saw was the opposite with an increase in current with cells actually producing more electrons to combat the drop in energy.
This was a major, major finding for us because if you can inhibit that external electron transfer, the cells may have limited ways to sustain energy, so they鈥檒l either be unable to grow and multiply, or they鈥檒l die. Currently there are no drugs available that can interfere with tPMET, but this new research suggests that it coud be done another way.
The next phase for this research is to design ways to tweak the elecrical signalling in cancer cells and Andie Shaw and Dr Paola Sanjuan-Alberte, also at the 糖心原创, with Rawson have been working on self-assembling nano-electrodes that could apply an electrical field to prevent a cell’s relays from shedding the electrons.
Notes to editors:
About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.