Science Breakthrough

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In the body, cells disassemble and discard unnecessary parts, and create energy through autophagy. A South Korean research team is shedding light on the process of this natural mechanism for the first time.

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When they sense a nutrient deficiency, cells in the human body disassemble unnecessary components to create energy. This is a mechanism called autophagy. Normal cells become healthier through active autophagy, but autophagy of cancerous cells spreads and promotes the development of the cancer. Is there a way to control natural autophagy? A research team led by Professor Baek Sung-hee of the school of biological sciences at Seoul National University has found that the CARM1 enzyme in cell nuclei plays a key role in regulating the autophagy process. The researchers explained that the CARM1 enzyme increased and authophagy became more active in starving mice, but artificially curbing secretion of the enzyme discouraged autophagy. The team expects that the finding can be used in applications such as the development of a new anti-cancer treatment.

[Soundbite] Prof. Baek Sung-hee(Seoul National University) : "The autophagy process in cancer cells accelerates progression of the disease. We expect that cancer can be suppressed by regulating the autophagy process."

The findings were published in the online edition of the prestigious international science journal Nature on Thursday.