The Mystery of PTPRK: A New Hope in Cancer and Coeliac Disease Treatment

▴ The Mystery of PTPRK
By understanding how PTPRK functions, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for these conditions.

PTPRK, or Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Type K, is a protein known for its role in various cellular processes. It’s been linked to several types of cancer and coeliac disease. The new study sheds light on its crucial role in maintaining cell health and preventing cancerous growths.

Researchers at the Babraham Institute have made a breakthrough in understanding PTPRK, a protein linked to cancer and coeliac disease. Their findings, published in the Journal of Cell Science, offer new insights into how PTPRK functions in tumour suppression and tissue repair.

The Study’s Key Findings
The research team, led by Dr. Katie Young, discovered that PTPRK plays a vital role in the colon. When PTPRK was removed from colorectal cancer cells, the cells struggled with wound healing and maintaining their structure. This was observed in mice as well, where the absence of PTPRK led to more severe colitis and larger, more invasive tumours.

Beyond Phosphatase Activity
One of the most ground-breaking discoveries is that PTPRK’s ability to suppress tumours doesn’t rely on its phosphatase activity. This challenges the traditional view of how Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases (PTPs) function in cancer suppression. Instead, PTPRK impacts gene expression related to epithelial cell identity and tissue repair.

PTPRK and EGFR Signalling
The study also highlights how PTPRK regulates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) signalling. EGFR is a pathway often implicated in cancer development. By influencing this pathway, PTPRK further solidifies its role as a tumour suppressor.

Implications for Cancer Treatment
The discovery that PTPRK can suppress tumours without relying on its phosphatase activity opens new avenues for cancer treatment. Understanding these mechanisms could lead to more effective therapies targeting PTPRK and similar proteins.

The Role in Coeliac Disease
While the study primarily focuses on cancer, the findings also have implications for coeliac disease. PTPRK’s role in tissue repair and cell health is crucial for understanding how to manage and potentially treat coeliac disease.
Dr. Katie Young emphasized the importance of these findings, stating, “We aimed to connect our observations in the colon to broader signalling mechanisms.” Dr. Hayley Sharpe, another key researcher, added, “The non-catalytic role of PTPRK in signalling is really intriguing to us and how it achieves this is an important next question to fully understand its role in tumour suppression.”

The team plans to further explore how PTPRK achieves its non-catalytic role in signalling. This research could lead to significant advancements in both cancer and coeliac disease treatments.

This study offers ground-breaking insights into the role of PTPRK in cancer and coeliac disease. By understanding how PTPRK functions, researchers hope to develop more effective treatments for these conditions. The Babraham Institute’s research marks a significant step forward in the fight against cancer and the quest for better management of coeliac disease.

Tags : #PTPRK #cancer #coeliac-disease-treatment

About the Author


Sunny Parayan

Hey there! I'm Sunny, a passionate writer with a strong interest in the healthcare domain! When I'm not typing on my keyboard, I watch shows and listen to music. I hope that through my work, I can make a positive impact on people's lives by helping them live happier and healthier.

View Profile

Related Stories

Loading Please wait...

-Advertisements-




Trending Now

Scars That Never Heal: The Painful Reality of Female Genital MutilationFebruary 06, 2025
Maharashtra’s Healthcare Betrayal: Why Are Crucial Funds Going Unused?February 06, 2025
1vision, 1 mission: Avaada Foundation’s CSR initiatives are powering communities and delivering sustainable progress across 5 key focus areasFebruary 06, 2025
Top 5 Technology Brands that are Transforming the Cancer Care Journeys for Hospitals and PatientsFebruary 06, 2025
Women's Wellness brand NUA Raises Rs 35 Crore in Pre-Series C led by Mirabilis Investment TrustFebruary 06, 2025
8 Effective Ways to Minimize Postpartum ComplicationsFebruary 06, 2025
Does Where You Live Decide Your Fate? The Urban-Rural Breast Cancer Divide in IndiaFebruary 06, 2025
Nepal leads the world with largest pictorial health warnings on all tobacco productsFebruary 05, 2025
Fleetguard Filters Private Limited Recognized for Excellence in CSR at Navabharat’s 4th CSR ConclaveFebruary 05, 2025
Six new regions of the Russian Federation are set to connect to Moscow's AI medical services platform, MosMedAIFebruary 04, 2025
Six new regions of the Russian Federation are set to connect to Moscow's AI medical services platform, MosMedAIFebruary 04, 2025
Ashok Leyland Reinforces ESG Commitment, Ranked No. 1 Globally in Sustainalytics’ RatingsFebruary 04, 2025
Calcium Supplements: Do You Really Need Them?February 04, 2025
Digital Diagnostics Doubles Its Foreign Publication Count in 2024February 04, 2025
World Cancer Day quotesFebruary 04, 2025
India can take a big leap in Cancer Care with Improved access to treatment and People-centered Approach: ExpertsFebruary 04, 2025
Lilly India appoints Winselow Tucker as the President and General ManagerFebruary 04, 2025
Driving Excellence in Clinical Research: ISCR's 18th Annual Conference Highlights Innovation, Technology, and Patient-CentricityFebruary 04, 2025
Southern Cross University introduces Access25 initiative to make international education more accessible to Indian studentsFebruary 04, 2025
Why Millions Suffer from Ineffective Treatments And the New Science That Can Save ThemFebruary 04, 2025