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Substance found in the string bean destroys cancer cells

Search UnB shows that one molecule of the grain can kill the diseased cells without harming healthy ones

Photo: Nguyen Thanh Quang

Vigna unguiculata cylindrica, popularly known as "string bean"

Researchers at the Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Brasilia found in the popular bean-to-string a new alternative for the treatment of breast cancer. A study conducted by researcher Sonia de Freitas in partnership with Professor Ricardo Azevedo, Department of Morphology, shows that a molecule found in the grain, called BTCI, kills cells cancer without harming healthy cells. The observation was made in the student's dissertation Graziella Joanitti which tested in vitro in the presence of BTCI at low concentration (400 micromolar).

result of eight years of study with BTCI (black eyed-pea trypsin inhibitor Chymotripsin) in the future, the discovery may provide a treatment with fewer side effects than the currently adopted, as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, which are not as selective and can cause death of healthy cells. "Being a natural product it can be an alternative with fewer side effects," says Sonia. The disease affects 49 in every 100,000 women in Brazil, according to data the National Cancer Institute. The

BTCI is a class of substances in several important cellular events in response in infection by bacteria and fungi and coagulation. Sonia explains that because the cancer regresses BTCI cause DNA fragmentation of diseased cells, alters the integrity of the membrane and the nucleus and creates structures that digest the cell contents, and how lissosomos autofagosomos.

Studies also show other important properties. The molecule inhibits the activity of trypsin, chymotrypsin and caspase-like proteasome, a protein complex that is related to cell cycle regulation, the subject of student's dissertation Larissa Souza. "The proteasome is a key part in the division of cancer cells," explains Sonia de Freitas.

The researcher estimates that it will take at least four years to conduct clinical studies. As this is a very stable molecule, the BTCI can be easily administered, even orally. A collection of studies on BTCI, which had the support of several researchers, was presented at a seminar of translational medicine, held at University of Brasilia earlier this month.

Research

But a key to the success of the research was the deep knowledge gained in 40 years of research professor emeritus at UNB, Manuel Mateus Ventura. From Fortaleza, capital of Ceará, he brought the knowledge of the string bean and created a graduate of Cell Biology, UNB, where he studied BTCI along with Sonia, who now coordinates the lab.

According to Sonia, this knowledge has provided a detailed study. "It is a vertical search. It began with the purification and characterization of the molecule and now we have the atomic structure obtained from data collected in the protein crystal National Synchrotron Light Laboratory in Campinas," he says. She explains that by knowing the structure of the molecule, one can predict cellular mechanisms and consequently their biological function.

doctoral and masters students will continue the study. One, in collaboration with Ricardo Bentes and Graziella Joanitti student investigates the action of the molecule encapsulated in mice with cancer. Another, in collaboration with Luciano Paulino, Marcelo Bemquerer Fonteles and Manasseh, studying the action of BTCI in relation to hypertension.

Source: http://www.isaude.net