TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A research team from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University’s Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Brain Science Institute has linked two human genes, TTBK2 and HUWE1, to cerebellar development and the growth of medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor in children.

Tsai Jin-wu (蔡金吾), a professor at the Brain Science Institute, said medulloblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors in children. Current treatments — typically surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy — can cause serious side effects, including cognitive impairment and metastasis.

Researchers hope the discovery, published in the journal Cell Death & Differentiation, will lead to better-targeted cancer treatments, per CNA.

Tsai noted the cerebellum develops with the help of specialized cells called granule neuron precursors. These cells must grow and eventually transform into mature nerve cells. Each precursor cell has a tiny, antenna-like structure — a cilium — that helps it receive growth signals.

The team found the gene TTBK2 keeps this “antenna” stable, allowing the cells to continue growing. In contrast, the gene HUWE1 breaks down TTBK2 once the cells are mature, removing the antenna and triggering the cells to differentiate. The two genes work together to ensure proper cerebellar development.

However, in individuals with medulloblastoma, TTBK2 does not break down properly, causing cells to grow out of control and form tumors, Tsai said. The researchers found that blocking TTBK2 forces tumor cells to lose their antenna-like structures, reducing the growth signals they receive. This slows tumor growth and could potentially lessen the severe side effects associated with standard brain cancer treatments.

Wang Won-jing (王琬菁), a professor at the Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, said this type of cilium was once thought to be a leftover from evolution. With the discovery of its role in brain cell growth, this feature could be used to develop new anti-cancer drugs, she added.