Mitochondrial protein: A new target for cancer treatment

Myeloid cell leukemia sequence 1 (MCL1), a protein of the BCL2 family, is a critical regulator of apoptosis, the process of programmed cell death, and is essential in normal and cancer cell survival. Researchers from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital newly identified two forms of MCL 1 with different functions. The MCL 1 outside a cell's mitochondria protects cells from apoptosis while the MCL 1 inside the mitochondria facilitates mitochondrial energy production and promotes the normal structure of the inner membrane. Dr. Rhonda Perciavalle of the University of Tennessee said that “the two forms might work together to protect cancer cells from apoptotic death and to provide them with the fuel and nutrients to sustain their unchecked growth and spread.” The researchers found that MCL 1 can be targeted to stop cancer cell proliferation, in effect treating cancer.