Oral bacteria reveal a new approach to cancer
What’s called spindle Often a part of Oral plants. But the bacteria can also colonize other parts of the body. They are especially common in cancerous tissue to exist. A research team is now investigating the cause of MRSA Tumors stabilized and them growth constribte.
searching Helmholtz Center for Infection Research They investigated an existing study why Oral cavity fusobacterium nucleatum They are commonly found in tumor tissue and how bacteria interact with cancerous tissue. The results of the research were recently published in the famous journal “PNAS” Foot.
Fusobacteria are linked to cancer
It was known before the investigation that spindle with different crabs keep in touch. However, the background to this connection was not considered sufficiently understood.
Using the latest technology, the working group at the Helmholtz Center has now been able to shed more light on this connection. Among other things, the team discovered a potential regulator of the adhesion of microorganisms to cancer cells and New therapeutic targets a statement.
Humans are home to more than 4,500 species of bacteria
live in man More than 4,500 different types of bacteria. Many species have perfectly adapted to humans during evolution and contribute to maintaining health, like bacteria in a healthy environment Intestinal germs. Bacteria or other bacterial strains are considered pathogens.
Health effects are often not clear
The importance of individual species of bacteria to human health and well-being is currently being studied in many different studies. Although understanding of this has improved in recent years, many of the effects of bacteria on humans remain unclear.
Part of the fusobacterium of the oral flora
This also applies to fusobacteria. It is often found in the oral flora of humans. But also in cancerous tissue, especially in the Breast and colon cancerBacteria are frequently detected. also in cancer It is suspected of involvement in the esophagus and pancreas.
fusobacteria in cancerous tissues
The presence of fusobacteria in cancerous tissue is associated with an increased risk of this tumor growth as well as formation of metastases And with a general worst prognosis in contact.
But how do oral cavity germs get into the tumor and why do they prefer to settle there? This was the central question for the current research work.
Fusobacterium is largely unexplored
Fusobacteria are clinically closely related, but little research is the same.confirms the corresponding study author Jörg Vogel. One of the goals of his work groups is to understand how these microorganisms function at the molecular level. of the results can New strategies against cancer can be earned.
As the study author explains, the Fusobacterium nucleus is a strain of bacteria that evolved early from other known bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli). Therefore results cannot necessarily be transferred from other widespread bacterial species to F.
Basic new knowledge about fusobacteria
Using a new technique called fluorescence imaging, the team was able to identify microorganisms View and track in detail for the first time.
“In a previous study, we actually demonstrated that a small regulatory ribonucleic acid, known as sRNA, regulates the protein in the outer bacterial cell membrane.”reports the first author of the study falk ponath.
“Now we have been able to analyze this mechanism in more detail and find a specific adaptation factor that inhibits different proteins in the cell envelope.”Ponath continues.
According to the researchers, this adapting factor reacts strongly with oxygen, which leads to the condensation of RNA.
As the team was also able to demonstrate, spindle bacteria use proteins in the cell envelope to interact with the host. It has not yet been clarified whether the detected processes are ultimately responsible for the increased colonization of fusobacteria in cancerous tissues.
New therapeutic approaches to fighting cancer
Nevertheless, the team was able to elucidate several new underlying mechanisms of germination and accelerate further research into bacteria. Scientists see this The link between fusobacteria and cancer A fundamentally new therapeutic approach fight cancer. (FP)
Author and source information
This text complies with the requirements of the specialized medical literature, medical guidelines, and current studies and has been verified by medical professionals.
author:
Graduate Editor (FH) Volker Plasek
Sources:
- Helmholtz Center for Infection Research: Fusobacterium and Cancer (published date: 03/11/2022), helmholtz-hzi.de
- Ponath F, Zhu Y, Cosi V, Vogel J, et al: Expansion of the genetic toolkit helps dissect the global stress response in the early branching species Fusobacterium nucleatum; In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2022). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2201460119, pnas.org
important note:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. It cannot replace a visit to the doctor.
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