Protein Structures Involved in Cancer Cell Proliferation Revealed
May 15, 2025
(A) SEM revealed the presence of a second nanoscale phase. (B) STEM identified the phase as equiatomic TaRe. (C) Atomic resolution STEM showed the precipitate’s cubic structure, with no clear evidence of B2 ordering. (D) Neutron diffraction spectra matched the BCC matrix, with peak shouldering at higher 2θ angles indicating a secondary cubic phase. (E) A faint {100} superlattice peak confirmed the secondary phase posses the B2 structure.
Scientific Achievement
The interactions between two proteins, NPM1 and p14ARF, involved in cellular proliferation were revealed.
Significance and Impact
The two intrinsically disordered proteins phase separate into disordered gels when they bind. The protein structures that were not accessible by other experimental techniques provide new insight into cancer cell proliferation regulation.
Research Details
- Deuterium labeling
- Small-angle neutron scattering with contrast variation
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy
“Multi-modal characterization of the B2 phase in the Ta-Re binary system,” Acta Materialia 293, 121097 (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121097.
