Oligopeptides with Tryptophan: A New Hope for Fighting Cancer?

Tryptophan, an amino acid, plays a big role in our bodies. Its unique structure lets it interact with other proteins in many ways. This makes it a great starting point for new medicines. In a recent study, scientists created a bunch of peptides (tiny proteins) with tryptophan. They used computers and experiments to figure out what these peptides might do. One type of these peptides, with the sequence Gly-Pro-Trp, showed promising results against cancer cells. They made the cells self-destruct (a process called apoptosis) and eat themselves (autophagy). The scientists used different tools like PharmMapper, molecular docking, and computer simulations to find out what these peptides might target in the body. They found that an enzyme called PARP1, which helps control our DNA, might be a good target. The scientists did more experiments to check if these peptides really interact with PARP1. They used something called biolayer interferometry and an assay called ELISA. These tests showed that the peptides could indeed bind to PARP1 and change its levels in the body. The scientists also figured out how the structure of these peptides affects how well they work. They found a relationship between the peptide's structure and how much it can slow down cancer cell growth. So, this study shows a new way to make medicines from peptides that could help fight cancer. But more research is needed to see if these peptides are safe and effective in people.