Joaquín Fernández Irigoyen, a biochemist at the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA) of the University of Navarra, has identified new molecular mechanisms involved in several diseases of the liver. This is one of the conclusions of the doctoral dissertation he recently defended at the School of Sciences of the University of Navarra.

Dr. Fernández has discovered a relationship between the absence of the MTAP protein and the excessive production of free radicals, one of the first alterations which is produced in various liver diseases, such as non-alcoholic cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, diseases resulting from the consumption of alcohol, etc.

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

Once these results have been confirmed, the team of the Laboratory of Hepatological Biochemistry of the CIMA will focus on studying the effects that the absence of this protein causes in an experimental model. According to Dr. Fernández, "The problem of liver diseases is that, if they are not treated at an early stage, they can result in liver cancer. Therefore, if we can decipher the primary molecular mechanisms for these diseases, we will be able to define new therapeutic targets that will aid us in developing specific drugs, as well as in preventing future pathologies."