Slashdot Mirror
Tumor Suppression Gene Discovered
An anonymous reader writes ScieceDaily is reporting that researchers at Ohio State University may have identified a new and unusual tumor suppression gene that could effect cancers of the lung, head, and neck. From the article: "The gene, known as TCF21, is silenced in tumor cells through a chemical change known as DNA methylation, a process that is potentially reversible. The findings might therefore lead to new strategies for the treatment and early detection of lung cancer, a disease that killed an estimated 163,510 Americans in 2005. The study could also lead to a better understanding of the molecular changes that occur in tumor cells during lung-cancer progression."
it'd be even better if it could affect them too.
Gee, why would anyone want to effect cancer? I would think there are enough carcinogens out there to effect cancer already.
Oh well, what the hell...
No reason to stop smoking now. Everyone light up!
Freedom would be not to choose between black and white but to abjure such prescribed choices. -Theodor Adorno
To my knowledge DNA methylation cannot be reversed and DNA methylase has not been found to exist yet. The only way DNA de-methylation at a particular CpG site in DNA can occur is by DNA replication(cell division), where replication of DNA gives an unmethylated CpG site.
What am I missing? :)
I for one welcome our new 6-packs-a-day cancerless overlords!
..are areas that I have worked in, at the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in NYC. I am not really that enthusiastic about this find. There are an enourmous amount of "cancer supressing genes" but very few yield useful clinical results. This seems to be a case of over-hyping (which occurs all the time) of a scientific find.
Don't forget emphysema. I think that's a tad worse than discolored teeth, or the stench that surrounds you.
Someone save me from this sanity.
A quick survey of my four grandparents, while a small sample, is enlightening.
Maternal Grandmother
Sendentary job, never smoked. developed diabetes at age 70, constant blood pressure problems - died age 84 after years of suffering strokes
Maternal Grandfather
Athlete and Gallipoli Veteran - Not a smoker to my knowledge. Suffered with high blood pressure and died age 84 due to complications from Parkinson's disease.
Paternal Grandmother
Overweight to the point of obesity. Gave up smoking when in her 40s
Died age 71 from complications resulting from Type 2 diabetes.
Paternal Grandfather
Stevedore and tennis coach. Smoked all his adult life until age 78. Always has two schooners (large glass) of beer every evening. Recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Suffers from Emphysema (not yet on oxygen) which will probably eventually kill him.
From this small sample, it appears that lack of fitness will kill you just as quick if not quicker than smoking.
So Slashdotters, instead of poking fingers at the smokers, get up, turn off your computer, get out from your Mother's basement and go for a walk. It might save your life.
(I don't smoke btw)
If my call is important, why am I talking to a recording?
Another example of researchers drumming up their findings. Altered methylation patterns of tumor suppressor gene promotor sequences is nothing new. Neither is the finding of a gene whose product can act to suppress tumor growth. There are many of those.Posting this on slashdot is somewhat overdone. DNA methylation is an exciting target for chemotherapy, that will doutblessly benefit cancer patients in the near future. But it is too early to cry victory.
----- One learns to itch where one can scratch.