Tsinghua University has made a major breakthrough: humans are expected to "starve" cancer cells
Yesterday, I came across an exciting breakthrough from Tsinghua University. Professor Yan Ning's research team at the School of Medicine has successfully determined the crystal structure of the human glucose transporter GLUT1 for the first time. This discovery could potentially disrupt the "nutrient supply chain" that cancer cells rely on, offering a new strategy to "starve" them. The study was recently published in *Nature*, one of the most prestigious scientific journals, and has already generated significant interest within the scientific community.
Glucose is the primary energy source for all living organisms. Before it can be used by cells, it must enter them. However, since glucose is water-soluble and the cell membrane is hydrophobic, it cannot pass through on its own. This is where transporters like GLUT1 come into play—they act as molecular shuttles, facilitating the movement of glucose across the cell membrane.
Professor Yan Ning emphasized that GLUT1 plays a crucial role in cancer metabolism. Cancer cells have a much higher demand for glucose compared to normal cells, and elevated levels of GLUT1 are often associated with tumor progression. By understanding the structure and function of GLUT1, scientists may be able to develop strategies to either enhance glucose uptake in healthy cells or block it in cancer cells. This could lead to innovative treatments that target the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer, potentially improving outcomes for patients in the future.
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