The discovery may lead to new therapies

The Cancer Research UK team hope their finding could lead to new treatments for spinal injuries.

They also hope that their work will provide vital clues about the development of cancer.

The gene regulates a protein called c-Jun, found at high levels in many different forms of cancer, including skin, liver and Hodgkin's lymphoma.

The neurological findings are an unexpected bonus. Dr Lesley Walker

Scientists have been studying c-Jun to try and understand its function both in healthy tissue and in tumours.

Lead researcher Dr Axel Behrens, of the Cancer Research UK Mammalian Genetics Laboratory, said: "We are studying this gene because the c-Jun protein is present in several forms of cancer at far higher levels than in healthy tissue.

"This implies an important role for c-Jun in the development of cancer."

He said it was important, if the team was to gain a greater understanding of the role of c-Jun in cancer, that they also studied its effect in non-cancerous tissue.

It was already known that the protein was produced at high levels when nerve cells are damaged.

When these cells are damaged - for instance in an accident - a chain of chemical reactions - known as the axonal response - is set in train, and culminates in the re-growth and recovery of the nerve.

Impaired recovery

The scientists examined the axonal response in mice that did not have c-Jun in their central nervous systems.

They found that, in comparison with normal mice, their nerves were far less likely to recover following injury - suggesting that c-Jun is a major regulator of the axonal response.

The scientists say their results could have far-reaching consequences for understanding nerve regeneration.

Dr Behrens said: "This could be of real relevance to research into spine and nerve injuries, where the nerves cannot grow back.

"Now we know more about the role of c-Jun in repairing the central nervous system, scientists can look for ways to use this knowledge to stimulate the reconnection of injured nerves to the muscles they are supposed to control.

Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's Director of Science Information, said: "Science can be full of surprises - you never quite know what you'll discover.

"We know that studying this particular gene will eventually further our understanding of its role in cancer, which will help us to develop new therapeutic and preventative strategies.

"The neurological findings are an unexpected bonus."

John Cavanagh, of the charity Spinal Research, said any work that could potentially yield a new therapy for people with nerve damage would be good news.

He said: "Although scientists may work in different fields, it just shows how closely linked topics can be at the end of the day."

Professor James Fawcett, chairman of the Cambridge University Centre for Brain Repair, said other researchers had attempted to use c-Jun to repair damage to brain cells without success.

"This might be significant, but experiments have been done in this area, and they have not been successful," he told BBC News Online.