Circadian Rhythm Gene May Serve as Target for Glioblastoma Therapies

Scientists from the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute say a gene involved in the body ' s circadian rhythms is a potential target for therapies for glioblastoma.Their discovery ( “Casein Kinase 1 Epsilon Regulates Glioblastoma Cell Survival”), published in Scientific Reports, points to a subtype of a particular gene that apparently is enabling the survival of cancer cells, although it is more commonly associated with circadian rhythms.“In our previous work, we identified casein kinase 1 ε (CK1ε, also known as CSNK1E) as a potential survival factor in glioblastoma. However, how CK1ε controls cell survival remains elusive and whether targeting CK1ε is a possible treatment for glioblastoma requires further investigation. Here we report that CK1ε was expressed at the highest level among six CK1 isoforms in glioblastoma and enriched in high-grade glioma, but not glia cells. Depletion of CK1ε remarkably inhibited the growth of glioblastoma cells and suppressed self-renewal of glioblastoma stem cells, while having limited effect on astrocytes,” write the investigators.(Source:Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News)
Source: neuropathology blog - Category: Radiology Tags: neoplasms Source Type: blogs