'Molecular eraser' destroys cancerous mRNA before protein forms, reshaping cancer cells

Many of the deadliest forms of cancer are caused by a pathological mutation in the RAS protein.

Yet, to date, no effective treatment for this cancer protein has been found.

A new research approach aims to prevent the protein from forming in the first place by destroying its blueprint—the mRNA.

Based on this strategy, the research group led by Peng Wu at the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Physiology has now developed a new type of "molecular eraser" targeting the mRNA of the cancer protein NRAS.

Their findings are published in JACS Au. ...