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Investigators from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) suggests that the TC21 oncogene, a gene precursor of cancer, while ensuring the survival of lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for controlling the defenses pathogens in humans. The work, published in the latest issue of Nature Inmunology concludes that an overactivation of the TC21 gene may be key in the transformation of lymphocytes in cancer cells, making TC21 in a
potential antitumor target.

Lymphocytes are responsible for recognition of pathogenic microorganisms, whether bacteria, parasites or viruses. Succeed thanks to a substance that incorporate these invading microorganisms, antigens that recognize through some housed in its membrane receptor (TCR receptors for the class T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes to BCR).

When lymphocytes encounter antigen-carrying microorganisms, TCR and BCR transmits signals leading to activation of lymphocytes to proliferate, become active and, in turn, leads to the activation of the immune system, which will proceed to the destruction of microorganisms.

But apart from these signals, TCR and BCR transmits signals of low intensity even in the absence of antigen. These are signs of survival, needed to keep cells alive. A team of researchers from the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC joint center and the Autonomous University of Madrid) has analyzed these signals in relation to the TC21 oncogene, a gene that, due to abnormal causes the transformation of cells normal in cancer cells. The results of the work in the latest issue of this journal.

The team has found that TC21 can control the transmission of survival signals from TCR and BCR. Based on animal models, found that if the activation of TC21 is poor, there is a drastic decrease in the number of lymphocytes.

"These data, coupled with the observation that TC21 is on Active in various types of lymphoma, suggesting that the oncogene may be responsible for the survival of T and B lymphocytes in non-physiological situations and in case of malfunction, could constitute a of the key steps in the process of their transformation into cancer cells, which will become a target anti-tumor, "concluded the researcher CSIC Balbino Alarcón, who led this research in collaboration with scientists at the National Center for Biotechnology (CSIC), in Madrid, and the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology of Cancer (center joint CSIC and Universidad de Salamanca).