The animation reveals the secrets of the critical tumor protein

The latest animation technology has revealed the molecular details of how our bodies are protected from cancer by a key “tumor suppressor” protein called p53.

The new WEHI-TV animation displays the findings of more than 40 years of research to explain how the tumor suppressor protein p53 normally prevents cancer-causing changes in cells. More than half of human cancers involve defective p53.

The animation was produced by the biomedical animator WEHI.TV Etsuko Uno, who worked closely with WEHI cancer researchers Professor Andreas Strasser and Dr Gemma Kelly to ensure the scientific accuracy of the animation. .

Control of cell life and death

In our body, p53 is an essential controller of cell division, cell death and DNA repair, ensuring that healthy cells can divide as needed, but forcing cells with damaged DNA to stop dividing and undergo repair, or die. if the damage is too severe. These processes are critical to maintaining good health; cancer is caused by damaged cells that can persist and grow uncontrollably.

Cancer researcher Dr Gemma Kelly, who also narrated the animation, said more than half of human cancers have defects in p53.

“The most frequently mutated gene in human cancer is p53 and is, I believe, the most important ‘tumor suppressor’ protein. Mutations in the p53 gene are particularly common in several prevalent cancers with poor prognosis, including lung cancer. ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer, “he said.

“Despite 40 years of intense research on p53, there is still a lot to learn about how this tumor suppressor works in order to develop better therapies for tumors that have defective p53.”

Using animation to understand science

The new WEHI.TV animation was created to clearly explain the latest knowledge about p53, said its creator, Ms Etsuko Uno.

“By working closely with our researchers, I have been able to produce very complex images of the functioning of p53 within cells, which reflect the most up-to-date data on this tumor suppressor,” she said.

“This was one of the more challenging proteins I have illustrated, because, unlike most other proteins I have tackled, this protein is largely unstructured. WEHI’s structural biology researchers have provided valuable indications on how to represent it accurately “.

“To create the detailed molecular shapes and movements, we turned to the technologies used to create computer games, using production software called Unity,” Ms. Uno said.

Explanation of the function of p53

The new animation demonstrates how p53 responds to DNA damage in cells by “activating” the production of proteins that can repair the damage. It also stops cell division, to allow time for this repair and to prevent the transmission of errors in the genes to new cells. However, if the damage is too severe, p53 strikes its final blow, directing the production of “cell death” proteins that trigger cell death via a programmed cell death process called apoptosis.

The animation also explains how malfunctions in p53 can lead to the development of cancer by not properly repairing DNA damage within cells.

Cancer researcher Professor Andreas Strasser said the animation provided a vivid and accessible explanation of how tumor suppressors inside our cells work to prevent cancer from developing. “It’s a wonderful educational resource, clearly explaining how p53 protects us from cancer,” he said.

“I am thrilled to see how it incorporates the latest findings on how p53 works, including the findings made by my research group, dynamically and scientifically accurate incorporated.”