Protein acts as the body's quality inspector

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found a protein that acts as the body's quality control inspector for cells. In the normal process of cell division, there's a pause to allow for the detection of an incorrect genetic code in the DNA. When the wrong code is detected, a correction is made if possible or cyclin-dependent kinase 2 modifies another protein that orders the death of the damaged cell. The researchers say their work identifies a clear target for anti-tumor drugs.

"Quality control within dividing cells is essential because mistakes during duplication of the genetic code can lead to cancer. CDK2 is a key protein component in the cellular mechanism that leads to repair of damaged DNA," Donald Tindall, co-leader of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center prostate cancer research program, said in a statement.

- see this release on the protein research project