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University of Geneva Identifies Protein Gatekeepers for Targeted Cancer Therapies

Next steps include testing whether these proteins can be targeted to kill cancer cells

Overview

  • Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 screening of more than 20,000 genes to uncover MLF2 and RBM15 as critical regulators of chromatin remodeling.
  • MLF2 and RBM15 act as gatekeepers that control chromatin accessibility and gene expression, safeguarding cellular identity and preventing aberrant activation linked to cancer and neurodevelopmental disorders.
  • The findings, published in Nature Communications, reveal how these proteins integrate with the SWI/SNF complex to modulate chromatin dynamics.
  • Targeting MLF2 and RBM15 may enable more selective and less toxic treatments by restoring proper chromatin architecture.
  • Researchers will next evaluate whether inhibiting these proteins can kill tumor cells and are screening for molecules that correct chromatin dysfunctions.