The Plant Derivative Celastrol Prompts Cancer Cells to Self-Destruct

In vitro and in vivo results demonstrated that celastrol disrupted p23 function by altering its three-dimensional structure, leading to rapid formation of amyloid-like fibrils.

"The celastrol induces the protein to form fibrils and clusters it together, which inactivates it,” explained senior author Dr. Ahmed Chadli, professor of biochemistry at the Medical College of Georgia. "When they are clustered, they are not available for other functions that help cancer grow."

"Cancer cells need HSP90 more than normal cells because cancer cells have thousands of mutations,” said Dr. Chadli. "They need chaperones all the time to keep their mutated proteins active. By taking heat shock proteins away from cells, the stabilization is taken away and cell death occurs.”

Related Links:
Medical College of Georgia