Scientists at the University of Colorado developed the structure of Telomerase; an enzyme that plays a key role for many cancers. The over-activity of telomerase causes unrestricted growth of as many as 90% of human tumors. Lack of any details about its structure always obstructed the study of its effect.
Telomerase, a key to develop human embryo during pregnancy, locks up usually in healthy adult cells. But, cancer cells turn telomerase back on to trigger wild cell division. Telomerase has a tendency to bundle together outside cells. Thus, it avoids the forming of ordered crystals crucial for the structural analysis.
The Colorado team used a luminous green protein to study the enzyme. It highlights atypical fragments of it, which did not bunch together in the usual way. With a few more biochemical tricks they ultimately produced a 3-D atomic map.
This 3-D map may be used to hold the chromosome so as to extend its telomere region, and generate uncontrolled genetic division. The scientists hope that it can lead to a new invention of much efficient cancer drugs.