Unregulated cell division is a hallmark of cancer, and one of the key proteins involved in controlling cell division is called FoxM1. Abnormal activation of FoxM1 is a common feature of cancer cells and is correlated with poor prognosis, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. Now researchers at UC Santa Cruz have determined the structure of this protein–a kind of ‘master switch’ for cell division–in its inactive or ‘off’ conformation.
Source: EurekaAlert, https://www.eurekalert.org