Scientists discover an “impossible” cellular survival pathway that could help fight cancer

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Scientists have identified an unexpected cellular survival pathway that enables mammalian cells to produce the essential amino acid cysteine even when previously thought critical pathways are disabled. This discovery may aid in developing cancer treatments by targeting this backup mechanism.

Scientists discovered a surprising backup system that lets mammalian cells make the essential amino acid cysteine even when the pathways once considered indispensable are disabled. The same survival mechanism may help cancer cells resist treatment, raising the possibility that shutting it down could make tumors easier to kill.