Cancer works by exploiting existing efficient processes in the body to create new, independent, harmful cells. It’s like taking the gas pump delivering fuel into your car’s tank and pointing it toward a forest fire. The fuel pump is still doing its intended job and it has no idea of ​​the difference in the results, but the results will be disastrous nonetheless. The fact that PLK-1 persists in tumor cells shows that it persists in general and is involved in mitosis (the division of cells for replication) even in extreme bodily conditions such as neoplastic (tumor) growth. .

When a cell divides, the DNA double helix is ​​also divided. Centromeres coordinate the precise and near-perfect linking of separate strands with their associated enzymes in each new strand. cell. But who watches over him who watches, as they say? How is the centromere so persistent, despite being copied and copied and copied? Well, it turns out that PLK-1 replenishes vital materials that indicate the centromere is ready for action.

To do this, PLK-1 uses a reaction called phosphorylation, which means it adds a molecule called phosphate to an existing protein. Phosphates—represented by the common version phosphoric acid (H₃P.O.₄) or the simplest form PO₄—_{function like switches that turn a protein’s behavior on or off relative to its previous position. By phosphorylating two protein groups involved in the centromere, PLK-1 functionally creates a queue of the protein that the centromere actually needs, known as CENP-A. These CENP-A proteins then align to ensure that individual chromosomes stay organized as they are separated and migrated, like a camp counselor keeping an eye on children who become separated from their “buddy pairs.” » to go to the toilet.}

Previous work has shown the involvement of PLK-1 in this project. reaction (including work by the same team on one of the proteins phosphorylated by PLK-1), but scientists did not understand the chemical reactions themselves. In a statement from the University of EdinburghJeyaprakash described the process as a “relay race” to ensure there is enough CENP-A for a functional centromeric area. In this sense, Jeyaprakash said, the entire chain of events is “essential to the creation and maintenance of life.” Every piece plays a vital role, literally.

Caroline Delbert is a writer, avid reader and editor-in-chief at Pop Mech. She’s also passionate about just about everything. His favorite subjects include nuclear energy, cosmology, everyday mathematics, and the philosophy of it all.