Staffan Eriksson

Cellular deoxynucleoside kinases; tumor biomarkers and key enzymes in the activation of anticancer and antiviral drugs

Staffan Eriksson´s reseach group (a total of 6 persons) works with biochemical and molecular genetic characterization of the cellular deoxynucleoside kinases; key enzymes in the activation of anticancer and antiviral drugs. These enzymes transfer a phosphoryl group from ATP (or other ribonucleotide triphosphates) to form deoxynucleoside monophosphates that can be further phosphorylated to DNA precursor triphosphates. This is a necessary activation step for deoxynucleoside so that they can be incorporated into DNA.

Molecular genetic methods are used to clone and express recombinant enzymes. Biochemical and biophysical techniques are used to determine their structure and function. The results provide basic information on the mechanism of activation DNA precursor analogs, which may help to design better antiviral and anticancer drugs.

One of these enzymes, thymidine kinase 1 is also used as biomarker for cell proliferation. Antibodies designed against specific regions of this enzyme are presently tested in cell cycle studies and as basic tools to define the structure of thymidine kinase 1 in serum. This work will enable better use of thymidine kinase 1 as biomarker in human and veterinary oncology.

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