Joaquín Fernández Irigoyen, a biochemist at research center Applied research center (CIMA) at the University of Navarra, has identified new molecular mechanisms involved in the development of various liver diseases. This is one of the conclusions of the thesis defended at the School of Science at the University of Navarra.

The researcher discovered the link between the absence of a protein called MTAP and the excessive production of free radicals, one of the first abnormalities to occur in numerous liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, alcohol-related diseases, etc.

"MTAP is a protein that controls the levels of the MTA molecule, which is involved in various processes essential for proper liver function. Our study has shown that free radicals inhibit this protein, which alters the levels of the molecule," explains Joaquín Fernández.

Once these results were verified, the team at CIMA Hepatology Biochemistry laboratory CIMA on studying the effects of the absence of this protein in an model . According to the researcher, "the problem with liver diseases is that, if not treated early, they can trigger the development liver cancer. Therefore, if we decipher the primary molecular mechanisms of many diseases, we will be able to identify new therapeutic targets that help us develop specific drugs, as well as prevent future pathologies."