BCR-ABL: Cancer Protein Structure and Function

This Click & Learn provides an example of how understanding the structure of a protein that causes certain types of cancer can lead to effective treatment.

Key Concepts

• A protein is a biologically functional molecule consisting of one or more chains of amino acids – “polypeptide” chains – that fold into a three-dimensional structure.
• The sequence of amino acids determines the structure of protein and its function.
• Kinases are proteins that catalyze the transfer of phosphate groups between molecules; certain types of kinases regulate and coordinate the cell cycle.
• Genetic mutations can result in the production unregulated kinases. If the normal function of these kinases is to regulate and coordinate the cell cycle, then the unregulated forms can lead to cancer development.
• Knowing the causative agent of a disease aids in the development of effective therapies.
• BCR-ABL is an example of an unregulated kinase; it causes almost all cases of chronic myeloid leukemia.
• An understanding of a protein’s structure and function makes possible the development of drug therapies targeted at that protein.
• Some mutations result in a protein that is resistant to a specific targeted therapy.