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Golden Gene Revealed: A New Target in the Fight Against Colorectal Cancer
Scientists have uncovered a gene known as SDR42E1 that plays a pivotal role in the body’s handling of vitamin D. By keeping this gene active, cells can absorb and transform vitamin D into the hormone calcitriol, which is essential for bone health, muscle function, nerve signaling, and immune defense.
CRISPR Engineering Uncovers a Surprising Switch
The research team at Hamad Bin Khalifa University used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to alter the SDR42E1 gene in a colorectal cancer cell line named HCT116. In the normal state, this gene is highly expressed, indicating its importance for the cancer cells’ survival.
By converting the active form of SDR42E1 into an inactive copy, scientists observed that cancer cell viability dropped by 53%. Moreover, the expression of 4,663 downstream genes was altered, demonstrating that SDR42E1 acts as a crucial molecular switch in many cellular reactions.
Implications for Precision Medicine
- Selective Killing of Tumor Cells – Inactivating SDR42E1 appears to target cancer cells while sparing normal tissues.
- Enhancing Vitamin D Metabolism – Conversely, upregulating SDR42E1 in healthy tissues might amplify the beneficial effects of calcitriol.
- Broad Disease Spectrum – The findings suggest that diseases influenced by vitamin D could potentially be treated through this new pathway.
Background on Vitamin D and Calcitirol
Vitamin D is not only a nutrient but also a precursor of the hormone calcitirol. Calcitirol regulates intestinal absorption of phosphate and calcium—vital for bone integrity—and governs the growth of cells, the proper functioning of muscles, nerve cells, and the immune system.
Key Takeaway
The discovery of the SDR42E1 gene as a gatekeeper in vitamin D metabolism and tumor survival opens a promising avenue for precision cancer therapies. By either cutting off vitamin D supply to tumors or boosting SDR42E1 activity to enhance health, researchers aim to design highly targeted treatments that could transform the clinical landscape of colorectal cancer and other vitamin D–related diseases.
