Innovative Drug Targeting Protein Regulation Offers Hope for Cancer and Viral Infection Treatments

Researchers from the University of Konstanz, together with colleagues from ETH Zurich and the California Institute of Technology, have uncovered a detailed molecular mechanism that controls the activity of N-myristoyltransferases (NMTs), enzymes vital for protein modification. This discovery opens potential avenues for developing more precise therapies against certain cancers and viral infections. The study, published in Molecular Cell, reveals how NMTs are regulated during protein synthesis within cells. Proteins are essential molecular components, and their proper function depends heavily on post-translational modifications, such as the addition of fatty acids by NMTs. Dysregulation of these enzymes has been linked to disease development, including tumor growth and viral pathogenesis.

The team used structural, genetic, and biochemical analyses to show that a protein complex called the nascent polypeptide-associated complex (NAC) plays a critical role in orchestrating NMT activity at the ribosomal exit site where proteins are formed. Their findings demonstrate that enzyme exchange at the ribosomal tunnel occurs in response to specific signal motifs on emerging proteins, functioning like a lock-and-key system. Importantly, the enzymes' spatial proximity to the ribosome gives NMTs a temporal advantage, ensuring they act promptly even when other modifying enzymes are present.

Understanding this natural regulation process of NMT activity could lead to the development of new, more selective drugs. Existing NMT inhibitors target the enzyme's active site but can cause undesirable side effects due to broad activity suppression. The researchers suggest that targeting the interaction site between NMTs and the NAC complex could provide a more refined approach, minimizing toxicity and improving therapeutic outcomes.

This groundbreaking insight into protein modification mechanisms not only advances our understanding of cellular biology but also paves the way for innovative treatments for diseases where NMT-related signaling pathways are involved. Further studies and drug development efforts based on these findings hold promise for improved therapies against certain cancers and viral infections.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-drug-cancer-viral-infections.html