The researchers studied a receptor that can be activated by the
epidermal growth factor (EGF), a hormone that stimulates cell division.
Genetic defects can lead to too many of these receptors in the cell
membrane. This overstimulates cell division, leading to cancer.
Natural environment
To study the EGF receptor, the Utrecht scientists used a new approach in the field of NMR spectroscopy. This enabled them to observe structural changes of the receptor in its native environment – the cell membrane. “Previously, only parts of the receptor had been analysed and then only outside its cellular environment”, says Marc Baldus, professor of NMR spectroscopy at Utrecht University and one of the publication's authors. “We can now observe how the receptor behaves in a cellular setting. This technique has great promise and can also be used to study other proteins associated with cancer or other diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's”.
Natural environment
To study the EGF receptor, the Utrecht scientists used a new approach in the field of NMR spectroscopy. This enabled them to observe structural changes of the receptor in its native environment – the cell membrane. “Previously, only parts of the receptor had been analysed and then only outside its cellular environment”, says Marc Baldus, professor of NMR spectroscopy at Utrecht University and one of the publication's authors. “We can now observe how the receptor behaves in a cellular setting. This technique has great promise and can also be used to study other proteins associated with cancer or other diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's”.
“
We can now observe how the receptor behaves in a cellular setting. This technique has great promise and can also be used to study other proteins associated with cancer or other diseases, such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's
Prof. Marc Baldus
„
Dancing around
Using the method, the researchers discovered that the receptor continually changes shape in the absence of the EGF hormone. “We believe that the receptor in its ligand free state is continually switching from a ‘closed’ to an ‘open’ position and vice-versa”, says Paul van Bergen en Henegouwen, cellular biologist at Utrecht University and one of the authors of the article. “It so to speak dances around and continuously bows for its audience”.
New cancer drugs
In his lab, Van Bergen en Henegouwen develops antibody fragments, known as nanobodies, that can specifically bind to EGF receptors. These nanobodies can therefor be used to label tumour cells, which enables the specific destruction of such cells. “Since we now know more about the structure and dynamics of the EGF receptor, we can start designing nanobodies that specifically bind to the open, active form of the receptor. This can ultimately lead to new cancer drugs.”
Using the method, the researchers discovered that the receptor continually changes shape in the absence of the EGF hormone. “We believe that the receptor in its ligand free state is continually switching from a ‘closed’ to an ‘open’ position and vice-versa”, says Paul van Bergen en Henegouwen, cellular biologist at Utrecht University and one of the authors of the article. “It so to speak dances around and continuously bows for its audience”.
New cancer drugs
In his lab, Van Bergen en Henegouwen develops antibody fragments, known as nanobodies, that can specifically bind to EGF receptors. These nanobodies can therefor be used to label tumour cells, which enables the specific destruction of such cells. “Since we now know more about the structure and dynamics of the EGF receptor, we can start designing nanobodies that specifically bind to the open, active form of the receptor. This can ultimately lead to new cancer drugs.”
“
Since we now know more about the structure and dynamics of the EGF receptor, we can start designing nanobodies that specifically bind to the open, active form of the receptor. This can ultimately lead to new cancer drugs.
Dr. Paul van Bergen en Henegouwen
„