Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, have discovered a new molecular pathway that could reveal how cells stick together. The finding, published in the journal Nature Cell Biology, could lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancer and inflammation.

The research team, led by biochemist David Drubin, focused on a protein called Rac1, which is known to play a role in cell adhesion. They found that Rac1 activates a signaling pathway that leads to the production of a protein called Eplin, which then helps cells stick together.

"This is a completely new pathway that we never knew existed before," Drubin said. "It's very exciting because it could have implications for understanding how cells stick together in healthy and diseased states."

In healthy cells, Eplin helps to maintain cell-cell adhesion, which is essential for tissue structure and function. However, in cancer cells, Eplin levels are often decreased, which can lead to cell detachment and metastasis.

The researchers believe that the new pathway could be a potential target for cancer therapy. By inhibiting the pathway, it may be possible to prevent cancer cells from detaching and spreading.

The researchers also found that the new pathway is involved in inflammation. In inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis and Crohn's disease, the immune system attacks healthy tissues, causing inflammation and pain. The researchers believe that the new pathway could be a potential target for inflammatory disease therapy.

"By understanding how cells stick together, we may be able to develop new treatments for diseases that are caused by cell detachment or inflammation," Drubin said.

The research team is now working to further understand the new pathway and its role in cell adhesion and disease. They hope to develop new drugs that can target the pathway and improve the treatment of cancer and inflammatory diseases.