Advances in Applied Cellular Analysis * Discovery of New Tumor-Promoting Pathway halted CRC growth more effectively in both mouse models and human CRC cell lines. "We show that loss of ERK1/2 in intestinal epithelial cells results in defects in nutrient absorption, epithelial cell migration, and secretory cell differentiation," the authors wrote. "However, intestinal epithelial cell proliferation is not impeded, implying compensatory mechanisms. Genetic deletion of ERK1/2 or pharmacological targeting of MEK1/2 results in supraphysiological activity of the ERK5 pathway. Furthermore, targeting both pathways causes a more effective suppression of cell proliferation in murine intestinal organoids and human CRC lines." Immunofluorescent staining of intestinal epithelium tissue shows cell growth (green). In a normal mouse model (left), cell growth is controlled, but in a mouse model with the ERK1/2 pathway blocked (right) increased cell proliferation and loss of organization occurred. UC San Diego Health 12 | GENengnews.com The findings from this study were published recently in Nature Communications in an article entitled "ERK5 Signalling Rescues Intestinal Epithelial Turnover and Tumour Cell Proliferation upon ERK1/2 Abrogation."http://www.GENengnews.com