Cancer research at BESSY II: Binding Mechanisms of Therapeutic Substances Deciphered
The study is displayed on the cover of the journal Chemmedchem. © Chemmedchem/VCH Wiley
In tumor cells, the DNA is altered in comparison to normal body cells. How such changes can be prevented or inhibited is an exciting field of research with great relevance for the development of cancer treatments. An interdisciplinary team has now analysed the possible binding mechanisms in certain therapeutic substances from the tetrazole hydrazide group using protein crystallography at BESSY II.
Certain proteins such as human histone demethylases, including the KDM4 protein, play a role in the development of tumour cells. They bind to the DNA and modify it so that the cell can become cancerous. Therapeutic substances that are able to inhibit or even reverse such changes are of particular interest.
Biochemist Prof. Dr. Udo Heinemann from the Max Delbrück Centre in Berlin-Buch is investigating such processes. In cooperation with chemists led by Prof. Dr. Andreas Link from the University of Greifswald and the team led by Dr. Manfred Weiss at the HZB, he has now investigated how and where certain therapeutic substances from the tetrazole hydrazide group dock to these protein molecules and thus inhibit their harmful effect.
KDM4 protein crystals analysed
Link initially produced variations of tetrazole hydrazide substances. For structural analysis, crystals had to be grown from KDM4 proteins - a difficult task that Dr. Piotr Malecki and Manfred Weiss had taken on at the HZB. The KDM4 protein crystals were then soaked in a specific substance before being analyzed with strong X-rays on the MX beamlines of BESSY II. A refined analysis showed not only the three-dimensional architecture of the KDM4 protein, but also exactly where the active substances had docked to the KDM4 molecule.
"This class of substances has not yet been structurally investigated," explains Manfred Weiss. And Udo Heinemann from the MDC explains: "We will now evaluate where there are opportunities to dock even stronger within the 3D structure of the KDM4. Then we might also be able to develop drugs that inhibit the KDM4 even more and thus have the potential to become a therapeutic."
- BESSY II is back in operation after maintenance shutdownOn 7 September 2026, BESSY II was set into operation after a four-week shutdown. BESSY II is scheduled to resume full user operation on 22 September.
- 3D magnetic field experiment at BESSY II takes spintronics a step further(Fe0.63Ni0.3Pd0.07)3P or FNPP is a magnetic material that exhibits complex magnetic structures even at room temperature. This makes the material of interest for spintronics, a field that could enable data processing with significantly lower energy consumption. One potential application is novel magnetic memory devices. However, generating and modifying the desired structures in a controlled manner remains a challenge to date. A new study led by HZB has now taken a step forward in this regard. They demonstrated at the worldwide unique VEKMAG-Station at BESSY II, that a tiny external B-field in the plane of the magnetic patterns is sufficient to change them.
- Confirmed figures for the first time: Investments in BESSY are worthwhile for Berlin and GermanyAn impact analysis by DIW Econ demonstrates the scientific and economic value of BESSY II. Every euro invested yields three euros for Germany and as much as ten euros for the State of Berlin. Furthermore, the study provides an economic forecast for the construction of BESSY III.
The impact analysis was presented on 3 September 2026 to Dr Henry Marx, State Secretary for Science and Research in the Berlin Senate. He supports the investment and is a strong advocate for BESSY III.