In an article recently published in the journal Cancer Research, Prof. Avri Ben-Ze'ev and Dr. Nancy Gavert of the Weizmann Institute's Molecular Cell Biology Department reveal mechanisms that help this cancer metastasize.

In a majority of cases, colorectal cancer is initiated by changes in a key protein “ beta-catenin. One of the roles of this protein is to enter the cell nucleus and activate gene expression. But in colorectal and other cancers, beta-catenin over-accumulates in the cell and inappropriately activates genes, leading to cancer.

Surprisingly, one of the genes activated by beta-catenin, which had been previously detected in colorectal cancer cells by Ben-Ze'ev's group, codes for a receptor called L1-CAM. This receptor is a protein usually found on nerve cells, where it plays a role in nerve cell recognition and motility. What is this receptor doing in cancer cells? Ben-Ze'ev's previous research had shown that L1-CAM is only expressed on certain cells located at the invasive front of the tumor tissue, hinting that it could be an important player in metastasis.

In this study, the scientists found that colorectal cancer cells engineered to express the L1-CAM gene indeed spread to the liver, while those cells lacking L1-CAM did not.

In collaboration with Prof. Eytan Domany and research student Michal Sheffer of the Insitute's Physics of Complex Systems Department, Ben-Ze'ev then compared the expression of genes induced by L1-CAM in cultured colon cancer cells to those in 170 samples of colorectal cancer tissue removed from patients, and in 40 samples of normal colon tissue. Out of some 160 genes induced by L1-CAM, about 60 were highly expressed in the cancerous tissue, but not in normal colon tissue. Ben-Ze'ev plans to conduct further research into the role of these genes, to uncover L1-CAM's function in metastasis.

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Studies involving language function also demonstrate that MND patients often have more difficulty producing and understanding verbs as opposed to nouns. This could reflect a close connection between performing an action and speaking or even thinking about it.

Research in the area of regenerative medicine discussed at the symposium will include why zebrafish are able to regenerate large numbers of motor neurones after damage to the spinal cord and to look at how they are replaced from local stem cells. This will be done by studying transgenic zebra fish and fish with beneficial gene mutations.

The event will include lectures from Professor Jeff Rothstein, director of the Packard Centre at The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore; Professor Don Cleveland of the University of California, San Diego and Professor Nigel Leigh, of Kings College, London - all leading researchers on motor neurone disease.

Motor neurone disease affects one in 20,000 people. It can be detected in an adult at any age but is predominantly diagnosed in people over 40, with most cases reported in 50 to 70 year olds

Craig Stockton, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Neurone Disease Association, a major co-sponsor of the symposium, said: "This is an exciting new development which provides a great opportunity for researchers within Scotland to hear about the latest developments within the world of MND from some of the leading scientists in the field. It is an excellent opportunity for new collaborations to be made and new ideas developed. Although the symposium is aimed at researchers, those affected by the condition, will also be greatly encouraged to know that such a meeting is taking place."

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