Carcinogenic protein will help wound healing

Protein that causes tumor growth was used in the treatment of non-healing wounds

Scientists have synthesized a compound that will help with the healing of chronic wounds in diabetic patients.

Natalia Pelezneva, Naked Science

Granulins are a group of proteins that serve as factors of cell proliferation. In the human body, they are often included in the process of the appearance and development of cancerous tumors. For example, granulin, which is secreted by the flatworms-parasites Opisthorchis viverrini, contributes to the development of cholangiocarcinoma. This tumor originates in the bile ducts. The disease is especially common in the Far East and Southeast Asia. Opisthorchis viverrini enters the body together with raw fish or meat, which are widely used in many oriental cuisines.

Granulins are involved not only in the formation of tumors. They promote the appearance of new blood vessels and tissue regeneration, including wound healing. It was the latter property that drew the attention of researchers from the Australian Institute of Tropical Medicine (Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine). While working on a vaccine that protects against parasites, scientists came to the conclusion that granulin can be used in the treatment of non-healing wounds. This problem is relevant for the elderly and diabetics.

Earlier studies have shown that regions close to the N-ends of some types of granulins are capable of folding into a certain three-dimensional shape regardless of the C-ends. Scientists have studied the structure of granulin Ov-GRN-1 to find out if it has such a property. The method of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used in the work. The scientists concluded that the N-terminal region of this protein cannot fold independently. The researchers then synthesized several truncated peptides based on Ov-GRN-1. The necessary ability was found in one of the modifications (Ov-GRN12-35_3s), in which another disulfide bond was "added" in the N-terminal region. Ov-GRN-1 has two such bonds in this region, and the substance derivative has three. Thanks to this additional connection, the connection retains the desired shape.

Granulin Ov-GRN12-35_3s contributed to a more significant increase in cell division than other modifications. In experiments on mice, it showed a faster effect than other granulins and the growth factor backaplermin.

The work of Bansal et al. The Development of a Potential Wound Healing Agent Based on the Liver Fluke Granulin Structural Fold is published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

Efficiency of Ov-GRN12-35_3s compared to other compounds.

The substance must undergo a series of clinical trials before it enters the composition of medicines. Scientists hope that their development in the future will help the elderly and diabetic patients who form chronic wounds. Using such a tool will reduce the number of amputations. Every day in Australia alone, 12 diabetic patients lose a limb due to a non-healing wound. 

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru  26.05.2017