DSUP: New Research On The Implementation Of Radioresistance In Cellular Systems
The goal of this project is to develop a therapy aimed to protect human DNA from ionizing radiation and hydroxyl radicals. One of the biggest problems in cancer treatment regards the deterioration of healthy cells during radiotherapy. “Radiation that can induce genetic mutations can evolve into very serious pathologies such as cancer, damage to dendrites, and can lead to the impairment of synapses” The development of a therapy based on a molecule that can result in radioresistance will need to be engineered for implementation in humans. The said molecule is a nucleosome binding protein called DSUP, which stands for Damage suppressor protein. it is uniquely found in the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus and it is believed to be the reason for its radiotolerance. A therapy based on dsup would allow the selection of solely cancerous cells as it would protect healthy cells during radiotherapy. It is an extremely economically advantageous system unlike other targeted treatments (e.g. CAR-T) The first necessary step is to know in an extremely in-depth way how the DSUP works. The characteristics of a protein are defined by its shape, and therefore starting from the analysis of the amino acid sequence I obtained its structure resolved down to the atomic level. Numerous molecular docking tests have been performed demonstrating the presence of a significant and robust attachment site between the nucleosome complex and the DSUP. The investigations continued using quantum chemical algorithms based on eq. of Schrodinger and on statistical mechanics. The mathematical modeling of its structure and the complex mechanisms simulated through artificial intelligence systems were followed by laboratory analyses involving the biosynthesis of DSUP using genetically modified bacterias and related tests. Both approaches applied synergistically have led to a better understanding of its dynamics. Starting from these data, the second part of the research was theorized: it will consist of structural studies (using nmr techniques, x-ray difractometry and cryoem microscopy). This will be the first step towards the actual application of the therapy in a model organism (e.g. Drosophila).