Professor Song Jae-whan of Biochemistry at Yonsei University and his research team succeeded in controlling FADD, an adaptor protein that is involved in preventing growth of cancer cells. FADD adaptor protein induces destruction of cancer cells, but the principle behind its control was unknown. The research team found that FADD can be regulated by Makorin Ring Finger Protein 1 (MKRN1) E3 ligase-mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation. It was proven that down regulation of MKRN1 results in severe defects of tumour growth upon tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand treatment in a xenograft model using breast cancer cells. Suppression of tumour growth by MKRN1 depletion is relieved by simultaneous FADD knockdown. The findings of the research applied on lab rats showed that repressing functions of MKRN1 in cancer cells increases effectiveness of treatments for cancer by augmenting FADD adaptor protein levels. Professor Song said that, “The research is the first of its kind to reveal the principle behind the degradation of FADD adaptor protein. Groundbreaking improvements in anticancer treatment are expected when a drug hindering MKRN1 activity is developed and taken along with other treatments.” The research results were published in Nature Communication, the online sister journal of science journal Nature.