 |
|
Research identifies protein in mice that regulates bone formation
June 23, 2006May lead to improved treatment for Osteoporosis
Boston, MA — Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass and density and which makes people more susceptible to bone fractures and deformities, afflicts some 10 million Americans over the age of 50. Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) have discovered that eliminating a protein, Schnurri-3 (Shn3), in mice led to profound increases in bone mass throughout their skeletal system. The results may have implications for the treatment of osteoporosis. The study was published in the May 26 edition of Science ( http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/312/5777/1223 ).
Osteoporosis has serious health consequences. One-fifth of patients with osteoporosis who fracture their hips will die within a year. As the baby boomer generation gets older, it is predicted that the number of hip fractures may triple by 2020 unless better prevention and treatment for the disease is improved.
The researchers, led by Dallas Jones, a research associate in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Marc Wein, an MD, PhD student, and senior author Laurie Glimcher, Professor of Immunology, observed that augmented osteoblast activity, rather than impaired osteoclast activity, was responsible for the elevated bone mass. Osteoblasts are cells that form new bone. Jones, Wein and their colleagues found that Shn3 formed a complex with a protein known as WWP1; together, the pair degrades Runx2, a transcription factor that is the master regulator of osteoblast differentiation, which activates key bone formation genes. By removing Shn3 or WWP1, Runx2 doesnt degrade, which leads to increased bone mass.
The authors believe that targeting Shn3 and WWP1 for drug discovery is an exciting prospect. Glimcher's lab has forged a collaboration with Brandeis University biochemist Greg Petsko to find compounds that inhibit the two proteins, which could lead to new and better treatments for osteoporosis. Though the biggest hurdles of drug discovery lie in the distant future, said Petsko, "as early stage targets go, this looks promising. It just smells like a good target."
Harvard School of Public Health
The researchers, led by Dallas Jones, a research associate in the Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Marc Wein, an MD, PhD student, and senior author Laurie Glimcher, Professor of Immunology, observed that augmented osteoblast activity, rather than impaired osteoclast activity, was responsible for the elevated bone mass. Osteoblasts are cells that form new bone. Jones, Wein and their colleagues found that Shn3 formed a complex with a protein known as WWP1; together, the pair degrades Runx2, a transcription factor that is the master regulator of osteoblast differentiation, which activates key bone formation genes. By removing Shn3 or WWP1, Runx2 doesnt degrade, which leads to increased bone mass.
The authors believe that targeting Shn3 and WWP1 for drug discovery is an exciting prospect. Glimcher's lab has forged a collaboration with Brandeis University biochemist Greg Petsko to find compounds that inhibit the two proteins, which could lead to new and better treatments for osteoporosis. Though the biggest hurdles of drug discovery lie in the distant future, said Petsko, "as early stage targets go, this looks promising. It just smells like a good target."
Harvard School of Public Health
Bone Formation Current Events and Bone Formation News RSSBone Implant Offers Hope for Skull Deformities
A synthetic bone matrix offers hope for babies born with craniosynostosis, a condition that causes the plates in the skull to fuse too soon.
Penn Study Provides First Clear Idea of How Rare Bone Disease Progresses
An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, is taking the first step in developing a treatment for a rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), in which the body's skeletal muscles and soft connective tissue turns to bone, immobilizing patients over a lifetime with a second skeleton.
Inside the first bird, surprising signs of a dinosaur
The raptor-like Archaeopteryx has long been viewed as the archetypal first bird, but new research reveals that it was actually a lot less "bird-like" than scientists had believed.
New approach for growing bone comes from Duke preclinical research
The natural cycle of building bone to maintain skeletal strength and then breaking it down for the body's calcium needs is delicately balanced, but diseases like osteoporosis break down too much bone without adequate bone replacement, leading to bone fractures.
New evidence that green tea may help improve bone health
Researchers in Hong Kong are reporting new evidence that green tea - one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide and now available as a dietary supplement - may help improve bone health.
Metabolic bone disease in cirrhosis patients
Long-standing liver disease has long been recognized to result in fragile bones with increased risk of fractures. In various international studies, the overall incidence has varied from 11% to 48%, with a fracture rate of 3%-44%.
July 23, 2009 Circulating osteogenic precursor (COP) cells form bone in vivo. Bone from Blood: Circulating Cells Form Bone Outside the Normal Skeleton, Penn Study Finds
The accepted dogma has been that bone-forming cells, derived from the body's connective tissue, are the only cells able to form the skeleton.
UAB Study Reveals Bone Coupling Factor Key to Skeletal Health
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have discovered a molecular coupling factor that helps bones grow and remodel themselves to stay strong, a finding that could lead to better bone-building therapies and new osteoporosis drugs, the researchers said
Dental researchers ID new target in fight against osteoporosis, periodontitis
Osteoporosis and periodontitis are common diseases whose sufferers must cope with weakness, injury and reduced function as they lose bone more quickly than it is formed.
MDC researchers unravel key mechanism in pathogenesis of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis, or bone loss, is a disease that is most common in the elderly population, affecting women more often than men.
More Bone Formation Current Events and Bone Formation News Articles
 |
Bone Formation (Topics in Bone Biology) (v. 1) by Felix Bronner (Editor), Mary C. Farach-Carson (Editor), G.A. Rodan (Editor) Bone research in recent years has generated much new knowledge, in large measure because of the broad public health implications of osteoporosis and related bone disorders. Bone Formation, the first in a series entitled Topics in Bone Biology, evaluates this new information and formulates novel insights and hypotheses within the broad framework of current knowledge. An easy-to handle and to read work, with concise reviews that are extensively referenced, the chapters in this book are written by internationally known authorities. Particular emphasis is on osteoporosis and related disorders of diminished bone formation. Among the general topics treated is a chapter on biomechanical aspects of bone formation, not often considered in relation to diseases of bone formation. The book... |
 |
Osteo -Max K: Increase Bone Formation and Reduce Bone Loss - 90 Fast Acting Tablets by Biospec THE SCIENCE BEHIND OSTEO-MAX K 1st -- Strontium Citrate 680 mg: Draws extra calcium into bones and adds strength; one of the most effective substances to prevent and treat osteoporosis. A McGill University study found Strontium at 600 mg/day for 6 months increased bone formation by 172 %. Reduces the risk of vertebral fractures and increases bone mineral density. N Engl J Med 2004; 350:459-68 Reduced spinal osteoarthritis by 42% & improved back pain. Ann Rheum Dis. 2008 Mar; 67(3):335-9 2nd -- Vitamin K1 3mg: Epidemiological studies and clinical trials consistently indicate that Vitamin K has a positive effect on bone mineral density (BMD) and decreases fracture risk. Nutr Clin Pract. 2007 Oct; 22(5):517-44 Daily Vitamin K1 intake of at least 1000 mcg is required to maximally... |
|
Nature Wonders VALLE DE VINALES Cuba Directed By: TravelVideoStore.com | |
 |
L-Lysine 500 Mg 100 Caps by Now Foods L-Lysine is an essential amino acid, which means that it cannot be manufactured by the body. It must be obtained through the diet or by supplementation. Lysine is one of the most well known amino acids and is an essential component of proteins. Contains no sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, gluten, corn, soy, milk, egg, shellfish or preservatives. |
|
Fatty Acids Promote Bone Formation.(Iams Co.'s new fourmalation for puppy food): An article from: Food Ingredient News by Business Communications Company, Inc. (Publisher) This digital document is an article from Food Ingredient News, published by Business Communications Company, Inc. on October 1, 2002. The length of the article is 366 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Fatty Acids Promote Bone Formation.(Iams Co.'s new fourmalation for puppy food) Publication: Food Ingredient News (Newsletter) Date: October 1, 2002 Publisher: Business Communications Company, Inc. Volume: 10 Issue: 10 Distributed by Thomson... | |
|
Hormonal contraception may affect bone growth; increased formation, resorption.(Children's Health): An article from: Family Practice News by Michele G. Sullivan (Author) This digital document is an article from Family Practice News, published by International Medical News Group on July 1, 2004. The length of the article is 1391 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Hormonal contraception may affect bone growth; increased formation, resorption.(Children's Health) Author: Michele G. Sullivan Publication: Family Practice News (Magazine/Journal) Date: July 1, 2004 Publisher: International Medical News Group Volume: 34 Issue: 13 Page: 55(1) Distributed by Thomson... | |
|
Molecular Regulators in Cartilage & Bone Formation (Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Medicine, 1024) by Thomas Engstrand (Author) | |
 |
Magnesium 250 Mg Capsules For The Formation Of Bones & Teeth, By Sundown - 100 Ea by SUNDOWN VITAMINS. INDICATIONS: Magnesium 250 Mg Capsules For The Formation Of Bones & Teeth, By Sundown containing Magnesium acts as a catalyst in the utilization of calcium and is required to help maintain healthy bones and teeth. It is involved in energy regulation and t |
|
DIRECT BONE FORMATION IN THE ANTLER TINES OF TWO OF THE AMERICAN CERVIDAE, VIRGINIA DEER (ODOCOILEUS VIRGINIANUS) AND WAPITI (CERVUS CANADENSIS) WITH AN INTRODUCTION ON THE GROSS STRUCTURE OF ANTLERS. by C. & W. Modell Noback (Author), 30 b & w Plates (Illustrator) | |
|
A Case of Primary Sarcoma of the Iris, with Formation of Bone in the Subsequently Involved Choroid. by Fred. WHITING (Author) |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |