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Recent scientific discoveries often have the capacity to transform our understanding of historical phenomena. Such a revelation concerns a mushroom formerly sadly famous for having caused the death of several excavators working on the funeral site of Tutankhamon. This same fungus, Aspergillus Flavus, turns out to be a potential ally today in the fight against leukemia, a particularly aggressive form of cancer. Thanks to the research carried out by the University of Pennsylvania (UPENN), this fungus could well change the situation in terms of medical treatment.
The unsuspected potential of Aspergillus Flavus
Aspergillus Flavus is a fungus belonging to a wide kind of nearly 250 species, present worldwide. It is commonly found in the ground, hay, grains and decomposing vegetation. Although it is known to provoke serious allergies and infections, its reputation is mainly linked to the legend of the “Pharaoh’s curse”. The latter would have caused the death of several archaeologists who entered the tomb of Tutankhamon. However, this reputation could well be erased by recent scientific discoveries. UPENN researchers have managed to extract molecules from this fungus, capable of disturbing cell division in leukemic cells. These compounds, known as the synthesized peptides ribosomically and post-transduction (RIPPS), could open the way to new treatments against leukemia.
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By manipulating the Ripps extracted from Aspergillus flavus, the researchers were able to increase their effectiveness against cancer cells. During laboratory tests, these compounds have demonstrated an effectiveness comparable to that of drugs currently approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of leukemia. This success is based on the ability of RIPPS to block the formation of microtubules, elements essential to cell division. This discovery is all the more remarkable since it demonstrates a specificity for leukemia cells, without affecting other types of cancer such as those in breast, liver or lungs. Thus, the RIPPS represent a promising advance for the development of targeted and specialized treatments.
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An exploration field still large
While most RIPPS have been discovered in bacteria, their presence in mushrooms remains rare. This makes the discovery of asperigimycins, a new class of ripps, even more exciting. The researchers identified four distinct RIPPS, two of which have shown a significant impact on cancer cells. By manipulating certain genetic switches in cancer cells, it was discovered that a particular gene, SLC46A3, allowed asperigimycins to enter the cells effectively. This discovery opens the way to the exploration of new classes of drugs, by exploiting the unexploited potential of fungi for the development of innovative therapies.
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Towards new therapeutic perspectives
UPENN researchers now plan to test their new compounds on an animal model. If these trials prove to be promising, they could conduct clinical trials on humans, although it takes several years. The ultimate objective is to transform these discoveries into viable treatments for patients with leukemia. According to Sherry Gao, associate professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, “nature has offered us this incredible pharmacy. It is up to us to discover its secrets and exploit them to design better solutions ”. This approach, which mixes science and nature, could well mark the beginning of a new era in the treatment of cancer, by exploring still unexplored natural resources.
Faced with these scientific advances, a question remains: what other wonders does nature still have in store for us, ready to be discovered and exploited for the good of humanity?
The author relied on artificial intelligence to enrich this article.
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