New Component of Tumor and Metastasis Suppressors Identified by NFCR-Supported Researcher
NFCR-supported researcher Dr. Xiang-Lei Yang of Scripps Research has published a new paper titled “Seryl-tRNA synthetase inhibits Wnt signaling and breast cancer progression and metastasis.“ This study discusses the role of seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS) in regulating Wnt signaling, a pathway known to be involved in cancer progression, particularly breast cancer.
The study highlights that SerRS, traditionally known for its role in protein synthesis, can also function as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway. Specifically, SerRS suppresses Wnt signaling in breast cancer by reducing β-catenin levels, impacting cell migration, adhesion, and metastasis.
The findings from this groundbreaking research suggest that SerRS has strong potential as a novel therapeutic target for breast cancer. Notably, the study demonstrated that SerRS can significantly inhibit metastasis, even independently of its effects on primary tumor growth, making it an especially promising candidate for anti-metastatic therapies. Given the crucial role of Wnt signaling in both normal and cancerous cells, ongoing research will further explore how harnessing SerRS’s tumor-suppressive functions can be translated into safe and effective clinical treatments. With strong evidence from breast cancer cell lines and mouse models, these findings pave the way for the next steps in developing SerRS-based therapies to combat breast cancer progression and metastasis.
For donors or stakeholders, this research underscores the importance of further exploring SerRS’s role in cancer biology. Targeting the Wnt pathway with SerRS could lead to innovative strategies for cancer treatment, particularly in preventing metastasis and progression in breast cancer patients.
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About Dr. Xiang-Lei Yang
Dr. Xiang-Lei Yang is a prominent researcher at Scripps Research, known for her work in cancer biology and molecular mechanisms. Dr. Yang’s laboratory has made significant contributions to understanding the molecular underpinnings of diseases like breast cancer, with particular attention to the regulatory networks that govern cellular behaviors and cancer cell survival.
Dr. Yang’s team is exploring this critical area of research in triple-negative breast cancer using laboratory models and patient breast cancer samples, both from primary and metastatic cancer sites. Their significant research may lead to novel therapeutic applications for additional cancers.
