According to a new study, an enzyme called "APOBEC3G" is a potential target for future cancer treatments. The study conducted by researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine revealed that APOBEC3G is a big contributor to bladder cancer evolution.

In the study, they observed that the enzyme increased the number of mutations in tumor cells, thereby increasing the genetic diversity of bladder tumors and speeding up mortality. Dr. Bishoy M. Faltas, assistant professor at Weill Cornell Medicine, stated that the role of this enzyme is to fight retroviruses like HIV by attempting to stymie viral replication by mutating the cytosines in the viral genome.

Hence, they hypothesized the possibility of cancer cells harnessing APOBEC3s to mutate their genomes. He explained that his team identified the specific mutational signature of APOBEC3G and mapped it in the tumor genomes. They also mapped the genome in the Cancer Genome Atlas.

The findings of the mapping showed that the enzyme caused a higher mutational burden and genomic diversity in the tumors. The researchers also found that the mutations were more common in cases of bladder cancer. They also found that these cases of bladder cancer were associated with poorer outcomes. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/diagnostics/enzyme-that-protects-against-viruses-can-help-drive-cancer-evolution-study/96600684 )