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subunit.bsky.social
Subunit
@subunit.bsky.social
A little passion project to make biological information about medications more accessible to the public. Work in progress.

We ❤️ protein structures.

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November 23, 2024 at 6:47 PM
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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Vismodegib is a medication that binds to SMO and inactivates it. This turns off the constant signals transmitted by SMO, halting cancer growth.

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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
In either case, these mutations allow SMO-mediated signals to be transmitted uncontrollably even in the absence of HH. These types of cancer rely on signals from the constitutively active hedgehog pathway to grow.

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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
However, in certain types of cancer, such as basal cell carcinoma, mutations in SMO allows it to bypass PTCH and enter the primary cilium. Alternatively, mutations in PTCH prevents it from blocking the entry of SMO into the primary cilium.

[8/10]
November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Since this process is dependent on the presence of HH, it is a controllable one — when cellular growth and differentiation is no longer needed, the production of HH simply ceases.

[7/10]
November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
On the other hand, when HH binds to PTCH, PTCH is inactivated and is transported into the cell. This allows SMO to enter the primary cilium, where it is able to transmit signals for the cell to grow and differentiate.

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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
In general, PTCH resides on the surface of the cell near the primary cilium, while SMO resides within the cell. Through mechanisms that are not yet fully understood, PTCH acts as a gatekeeper that prevents SMO from entering the primary cilium.

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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Three key proteins are involved in the hedgehog pathway: smoothened (SMO), patched (PTCH), and hedgehog (HH).

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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
Most notably, it plays a key role in cellular growth and differentiation through the hedgehog pathway, and the dysfunction in this pathway is implicated in many diseases, including cancer.

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November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
A primary cilium is a single antenna-like structure that protrudes out of most cells in our body. It functions as a signaling hub that receives and transmits a variety of signals inside and outside the cell.

[2/10]
November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Belzutifan is a drug that disrupts the interaction between HIF-2α and HIF-1β. This turns off the constant expression of survival genes, halting cancer growth.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
As a result, HIF-2α accumulates and constantly activates survival genes, leading to uncontrolled cellular growth, i.e., cancer.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
However, patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease possess mutations in the gene encoding VHL protein that prevent functional VHL proteins from being produced. Therefore, HIF-2α is not degraded under normal oxygen levels, even when its prolines are hydroxylated.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Hydroxylated prolines are recognized by a protein called VHL, which then marks HIF-2α for degradation. This ensures that the HIF complex-associated genes are not active when oxygen levels are normal.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
On the other hand, under normal oxygen levels, a protein called PHD uses the amply available oxygen molecules to modify the prolines in HIF-2α. This modification results in hydroxylated prolines.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
This complex then seeks out specific segments of DNA, where it activates genes involved in cellular adaptation to low oxygen levels and survival.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
When oxygen levels are low, HIF-2α binds to another protein called HIF-1β to form an active HIF complex.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
HIF-2α is a protein that orchestrates cellular response and adaptation to low oxygen levels. Notably, it contains proline motifs that are crucial for regulating its activity.

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November 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Although they are very effective, these drugs are all known to have pretty tough side effect profiles. I hope the treatment is successful for you!
November 11, 2024 at 7:42 AM
I’m glad this was helpful. I hope you have a successful treatment!
November 9, 2024 at 10:40 PM
Therefore, lenalidomide, by leading to Ikaros degradation, halts their growth and ultimately leads to cancer cell death.

[5-b/5]
November 8, 2024 at 7:25 PM