Protein that induces self-destructing behaviour in cells identified

Washington (ANI): A multi-function protein makes cells to eat parts of themselves, according to a study.

Cells often respond to hunger or stress by digesting some of their contents.
 
And this form of cannibalism, known as autophagy, helps free nutrients and clean up cytoplasmic trash such as worn-out organelles and misshapen proteins.

A team led by researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute discovered a link between this form of cellular recycling and the protein HMGB1.

The team showed HMGB1 to be a critical pro-autophagic protein that enhances cell survival and limits programmed cell death.

The findings suggest that blocking HMGB1 could benefit cancer patients, since tumor cells often rev up autophagy to withstand chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation treatment.

The study is published in the latest issue of the Journal of Cell Biology.