Lung cancer could be stopped from spreading by targeting a couple of proteins in Golgi apparatus, reports a latest study.

Researchers from the Universities of York and Texas have discovered that the Golgi apparatus, commonly referred as the "Cellular Post Office" plays an important role in spreading cancer from lungs to other parts of the body. Generally, the Golgi bodies pack proteins to be taken to other parts of the cell as well as outside the cell.

Role Of Cellular Post Office In Lung Cancer

The investigators found that the communication between two proteins in cellular post office is responsible for the detachment and movement of cancerous cells from lungs to other regions of the body. A protein called Zeb1 signals another protein PAQR11 in the Golgi apparatus initiating the transport of membrane vesicles inside the cellular post office.

As a result, an alteration in the delivery route due to the movement of vesicles or sacks occurs. Eventually, the perimeter of the cancer cells are alerted, which paves way for detachment and movement of the cells to rest of the body.

Detachment Of Cancer Cells

Daniel Ungar, from Department of Biology at University of York's said that the cancer cells are like tents that stay in shape with the help of the support from their sides as well as the ground. As long as the contact points are intact they cannot be moved.

To be able to relocate the tent the support points need to be altered or collapsed. Likewise, the structure of the cancer cells are disturbed by the communication mechanism occurring inside the cell that results in metastasis, noted Ungar.

When the internal structure of the cancer cell collapses their anchoring with the nearby cells is loosened. The cells in turn move from lungs to other parts or organs of the body and spread cancer.

New Treatment Option For Lung Cancer

Ungar added that the discovery of two proteins involved in the communication mechanism that results in the spread of cancer sheds light on new treatment options. A drug that targets the communication process would likely contain the movement of Golgi bodies and prevent cancer from spreading to other regions.

"The next stage of this study will be to look at how we target this process without interrupting normal cellular functions of non-cancerous cells," noted Ungar in a press release.

The study is published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation, on Nov. 21.