p38γ and p38δ have been for years two large unknowns who have only recently begun to catch the attention of scientists. Researchers at the National Centre for Biotechnology of the CSIC (CNB-CSIC) investigate these proteins and compile the latest works on them in an article published this week in the journal Trends in Biochemical Sciences. The authors highlight the role of these two unknowns in certain diseases and claim their potential in the development of new treatments.
15 may 2017
"p38γ and p38δ: From Spectators to Key Physiological Players" is the title of the article that has been recently published by Ana Cuenda and Juan José Sanz-Ezquerro, researchers of the National National Centre of Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC). In this article it is set out the important role played by the kinases p38γ and p38δ, a role that had gone unnoticed among scientists until now.
"It is encouraging to see how the effort invested in basic research could lead to new therapies against devastating pathologies" |
Cells that form multicellular organisms continuously communicate with each other and react to changes in their environment, damages or infections. The family of p38MAPK proteins (p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases), formed by a group of four proteins, is key in these signalling processes; this is why its behaviour has long been object of an intensive study. However, knowledge of the physiological functions of two of them, known as p38γ and p38δ or alternative p38, has been limited by the lack of specific tools and by their restricted expression, reason why they have been ignored in most publications.
“Until now we knew very little about these two proteins. That is why we had not been able to appreciate the possibilities they offer for the treatment of human diseases”, explains Ana Cuenda, author of this work.
The development of new pharmacological and genetic tools in the last years has allowed studying in depth the expression of the alternative p38 and their biological and physiological role is finally being clarified.
The study, published in Trends in Biomechanical Sciences,points out the role of these proteins in certain pathologies, such as diabetes, neurodegenerative processes or cancer, and it is a starting point for a deeper understanding of the functions of these kinases, fundamental for the development of new therapies against these diseases.
“Now we know that p38γ and p38δ are essential for the proper functioning of the organism and that they are involved in several human diseases. Now is the moment to explore the therapeutic possibilities this new knowledge offers us”, conclude the authors.
Original press release: SINC agency (in spanish)
