The Ku autoantigen: cast in a new light.

With his associates at the University of Ottawa, Dr. Robert Haché has demonstrated that the Ku autoantigen, a protein that plays a role in DNA repair and in immunoglobulin gene recombination, also modifies the action of steroid hormones. This finding has potential implications for the treatment of tumours whose growth is influenced by steroid hormones. The researchers suggest that Ku could be involved in the control of gene expression through a mechanism involving protein phosphorylation. They hope that a better understanding of the role Ku plays in many cellular processes may improve our understanding of autoimmune diseases, diseases of immune deficiency and cancer.