Four more rescued after Houthi attack on Greek ship in Red Sea
Four more survivors from the Greek ship Eternity C were rescued from the Red Sea on Thursday, following a deadly Houthi attack that left ten still mis...
Scientists have unveiled the structure of uMtCK, a key enzyme cancer cells use for energy, offering new insights for targeted therapies to slow tumor growth.
Cancer cells are notorious for their insatiable hunger for energy, rapidly multiplying and hijacking normal cellular functions to meet their fuel demands. One of the critical processes they exploit involves a group of enzymes called creatine kinases (CK), which are responsible for shuttling energy within cells. A specific type of CK, known as ubiquitous mitochondrial creatine kinase (uMtCK), plays a crucial role in helping cancer cells tap into and distribute energy, making it an essential target for potential cancer therapies.
In a breakthrough study, scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys and Mayo Clinic revealed the detailed structure of human uMtCK, uncovering how its shape changes when bound to energy molecules like creatine or adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Using cutting-edge cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), the team created 3D images of the protein and its interactions, offering insights that could pave the way for developing drugs to block this crucial energy transport mechanism in cancer cells.
Their research, published in Structure on February 3, 2025, also tested an existing CK inhibitor called CKi on breast cancer cells. The results showed that CKi was effective in slowing down breast cancer cell growth, confirming the potential of targeting this pathway in cancer treatment. However, the inhibitor isn’t selective for uMtCK alone, and could disrupt other vital processes, leading to high toxicity.
Building on these findings, the researchers are now working to design more targeted inhibitors that specifically block uMtCK without affecting other cellular functions, offering the promise of more effective and less toxic cancer therapies in the future.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A series of earthquakes have struck Guatemala on Tuesday afternoon, leading authorities to advise residents to evacuate from buildings as a precaution against possible aftershocks.
Archaeologists have uncovered a 3,500-year-old city in northern Peru that likely served as a key trade hub connecting ancient coastal, Andean, and Amazonian cultures.
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
On July 4, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Khankendi, reaffirming the deep-rooted alliance between the two nations.
The European Union is stepping up its health crisis preparedness by stockpiling essential medical supplies and boosting coordination among member states.
New artificial intelligence (AI) software is helping NHS hospitals in Hull reduce MRI scan times, enabling staff to scan more patients each day while improving accessibility for vulnerable groups.
France will impose its toughest outdoor smoking restrictions starting Monday, banning smoking at beaches, parks, playgrounds, and bus stops.
Scientists in Australia and the U.S. have developed an AI tool that could transform cancer care by revealing the hidden diversity of tumour cells and guiding more targeted therapies.
Singapore has launched its largest-ever study on paediatric food allergies, aiming to better understand and address the growing burden of allergic reactions among children.
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