Scientists have discovered that a common molecule previously known to play a fundamental role in building protein, can also trigger cancer. The surprise findings are published today in Cell.

In previous work, the scientists based at Cancer Research UK's Beatson Institute in Glasgow, found levels of a molecule called tRNA, which helps kick start protein production, were unusually high in some cases of ovarian and cervical cancer.

In the new study, researchers boosted ovarian cells in the laboratory with extra tRNA and discovered the cells turned cancerous. Three different types of fibroblast cells also responded in a similar way, leading the team to believe their research may be applicable to many different forms of the disease.

Lead researcher, Professor Robert White, from the Beatson Institute for Cancer Research, said: "For the first time our study shows that tRNA, a molecule which has always been regarded by scientists to play a safe and rather boring ‘housekeeping' role, can have a darker side.

"A great deal of our work has been based on understanding the changes that take place a lot earlier in the cancerous process to kick-start the damage. We can now see that tRNA also plays a fundamental part in doing this. This finding will open up new and potentially important avenues for drug development."

The discovery is set to raise questions about how important tRNA will turn out to be in the complex chain of biological changes that cause cancer to develop, and lead to further research to find out if tRNA can be manipulated for the benefit of cancer patients.