Newly-discovered gene links breast cancer to stress and changes in exposure to light and dark

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NIMBB researchers have just discovered a gene called Krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) that links the effects of stress, regulation of the light-dark cycle, and breast cancer. (Image credit: Weand Ybañez)

New research from the University of the Philippines - Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) has found a conclusive link between stress, altered light-dark cycles—such as in the cases of night shift workers and frequent international travelers—and breast cancer.

Molecular biologist Dr. Pia Bagamasbad and her student, Weand Ybañez, at the UPD-National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (NIMBB) discovered a gene called Krüppel-like factor 9 (KLF9) that suppresses tumor growth and links the effects of stress, regulation of the light-dark cycle, and breast cancer. In their study, the researchers found that KLF9 is suppressed in breast tumors compared to normal breast tissue, and that KLF9 is affected by stress hormones and changes in a person’s exposure to light and dark.

Normal body function involves a regular 24-hour pattern of biological activity, called the “circadian cycle,” which is mainly controlled by the 12-hour light-dark cycle that, in turn, regulates several bodily functions such as sleeping and waking, digestion, and the action of various hormones at different times of the day.

In normal breast tissue, the researchers found that KLF9 exhibits a cyclical pattern as part of a healthy circadian cycle. However, this regular pattern is lost in highly-aggressive breast cancer. Since KLF9 suppresses the growth and spread of breast cancer cells, these research findings show a direct link between stress hormones and changes in the circadian cycle—such as lack of sleep—on breast cancer risk and development.

The NIMBB research team underscored the value of maintaining a regular circadian cycle in their study, warning of the negative effects of disruptions in the regularity of the circadian cycle: “Circadian disruption is an emerging driver of breast cancer , with epidemiological studies linking shift work and chronic jet lag to increased breast cancer risk,” they noted in their research paper, which was published just last February 23 in the journal, Cancer Cell International.

“These findings have potential far-reaching implications not just on our understanding of how cancer develops and spreads and how it can be effectively managed, but more importantly emphasize the need for policies and interventions that can safeguard the overall health and wellness of women working in industries involving disruption in the regular circadian cycle”, Dr. Bagamasbad said.

Instituto Cervantes pays Online Tribute to Spanish Film Legend Carlos Saura

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This March, Instituto Cervantes de Manila is presenting the online film series “Carlos Saura, Goya de Honor”, to give tribute to one of the most important contemporary Spanish filmakers. The films will be shown through the Instituto Cervantes channel on the Vimeo platform (vimeo.com/institutocervantes) and will be freely accessible for 48 hours from their start date and time.

The recently deceased Carlos Saura (1932-2023) was arguably, together with Luis Buñuel, Luis García Berlanga and Pedro Almodóvar, one of the most international filmmakers of Spanish cinema. His work spans more than sixty years and is marked by the investigation of visual and plastic limits in the seventh art. Cinema has accompanied Saura in his passion for rethinking traditional Spanish culture and placing it in the present while projecting his artistic personality into the future.

The series, which comprises of four iconic films in Carlos Saura’s career, will kick off on 4 March, Saturday, with the screening of La caza (freely available for 48 hours through the link https://vimeo.com/794410731). Released in 1966, the movie is reputed one of the main masterpieces of Spanish cinema. It is about four friends who go on a hunt, but tensions arise among them and all hell breaks loose, seemingly echoing a battle that took place in the same site during the Civil War.

 
Instituto Cervantes pays Online Tribute to Spanish Film Legend Carlos Saura
The film series will continue on 11 March, with the drama Bodas de sangre (1981). Based on the works of Federico García Lorca, this film combines an exquisite flamenco ballet to narrate the sorrowful story of a bride who, on the same day of her wedding, escapes with her lover, and ends up being persecuted by her supposed-to- be husband and her family. (Link to the movie: https://vimeo.com/794481909).

On March 18, you can catch the film Goya en Burdeos (1999), a biopic of Francisco de Goya, who was exiled in Bordeaux in his advanced age, with his latest lover and his daughter Rosario. In his deathbead he recalls the best moments of his life, as though the film were taking us on a walk through it. (Link to the movie: https://vimeo.com/796563637).

Finally, on March 25, the film cycle closes with Iberia (2005), a beautiful documentary based on the musical piece Iberia by Albéniz, which follows the rehearsals and performances of dancers, choreographers, and musicians, all great artists in the world of contemporary flamenco, including Sara Baras. (Link to the movie: https://vimeo.com/795545160).

The films, presented by Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, will be in Spanish with English subtitles. Admission is free. For further information and updates on this film series, please check out Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook site (www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila) or the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/886986729018720

For further information about the cultural program of Instituto Cervantes please visit Instituto Cervantes’ website ( http://manila.cervantes.es ), or follow Instituto Cervantes on social media (Facebook: InstitutoCervantesManila; Instagram: institutocervantesmanila).

Quirino Province aims for Philippines's Net Zero Emissions leadership

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Quirino Province is aiming to become the country’s first leader in Net Zero Emissions in just a few short years, thanks to a newly-forged partnership with local resilience advocacy Climate Smart Philippines, under the stewardship of internationally-acclaimed science diplomat Glenn Banaguas. The bid aims to see Quirino achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Banaguas will share Climate Smart Philippines’ knowledge and experience with the people and local government of Quirino. By establishing mutually-reinforcing community-to-community learning networks and partnerships, the leadership of the province has expressed optimism about avoiding the worst impacts of climate change by committing to achieving net zero emissions within the next three decades.

“We are deeply honored to have Mr. Banaguas’ expertise and guidance as we set ourselves on the path to this ambitious but worthy goal,” said Quirino Gov. Dakila “Dax” Cua, who is also the President of the Union Leagues of Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP).

"Building on the actions in Quirino’s strengthened climate change plan, this provides a roadmap to how Quirino will meet the enhanced Paris and Glasgow Agreement targets to reduce emission before 2040," he mentioned.

“We are confident that we can steer our beloved province onto a path of leadership and greatness. We will replicate the success of our commitment with the other provinces in the country,” Cua added.

A Fellow of the UK-based Royal Society for the Arts, Sc. Dpl. Banaguas is one of Asia’s leading experts in environment, climate change, and disaster risk. He is the Chairman of the ASEAN Science Diplomats and the US-ASEAN Fellows for Science and Technology, and the Climate Diplomat of the EU-Asia Expert Panel for Climate Diplomacy and Environmental Security. He was also Lee Kuan Yew Senior Fellow in Public Service and an Executive Fellow of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland. He is also a United Nations Sasakawa and The Outstanding Filipino (TOFIL) Laureate, as well as an Asia Leaders for Sustainability awardee.

“I am thankful for the trust and faith that Governor Cua and the people of Quirino have put in me,” said Banaguas.


“The size of my gratitude is exceeded only by my determination to see this beloved province rise up to its full climate-smart potential.”