Using a new TaqMan PCR - based technique, the researchers screened a number of cancer cell lines from various tissues,
and discovered that tRNA halves were
specifically expressed in large quantities in sex hormone - dependent cancers, i.e.,
estrogen receptor (ER)- positive breast cancer
and androgen receptor (AR)- positive prostate cancer that are driven by the hormones
estrogen and testosterone.
Synthetic hormones are also going to the brain
and shutting down gonadotrophins,
specifically the LH
and FSH that regulate the menstrual cycle, so women taking birth control pills aren't making their own
estrogen, progesterone or
testosterone,
and they aren't ovulating.