Cells utilize an enzyme called the proteasome to remove unnecessary proteins. The study found that the proteasome can independently degrade substrates involved in Parkinson's disease and some types of cancer, producing fragments reminiscent of pathological deposits in Parkinson's patients.
Researchers will investigate brain structures controlling responses to rewarding stimuli and their role in mood regulation. The goal is to develop new treatments for depression, which affects 20% of Americans.
Researchers have solved the three-dimensional structure of a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor's extracellular domain, which may help develop treatments for familial hypercholesterolemia. The LDL receptor plays a crucial role in clearing LDL from the blood and maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Researchers have identified a vital component in the regulation of the circadian clock, which controls daily behavior such as sleeping and waking. The discovery may lead to the development of drugs that speed up or slow down the circadian clock, potentially treating sleep disorders affecting 70 million Americans.
Two new genes, Abcg5 and Abcg8, play a critical role in cholesterol secretion into the bile, essential for maintaining cholesterol homeostasis. Disrupting these genes can lead to increased plasma levels of cholesterol and plant sterols, associated with premature heart disease.
Patrick Harran, associate professor of biochemistry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, has won the AstraZeneca Excellence in Chemistry Award for his discovery of a synthetic alternative to an anticancer compound. His research reveals that the initial structure reported for the natural product was incorrect.
Researchers found a significant correlation between maternal placenta inflammation and infant neurological function decline. The study revealed chorioamnionitis as a key cause of perinatal brain injury, potentially leading to new diagnostic tests and preventive strategies.
Researchers at UT Southwestern and Children's will develop protocols and procedures for a thermocycler called GeneXpert, which rapidly processes and analyzes DNA samples. The new testing methods should allow children to leave the hospital sooner or avoid hospitalization altogether, with results available within hours.
Researchers discovered that nociceptive neurons trigger group feeding behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans, a species of worm. The findings build on earlier research and have potential relevance to understanding human eating behaviors and obesity.
A study by UT Southwestern researcher Dr. John Rush and colleagues found that long-term treatment of chronic depression can result in sustained psychosocial benefits. The therapy showed significant improvement rates among patients taking Zoloft, with only 6% relapse rate compared to 23% for the placebo group.
The grant will develop new technologies to study G protein-coupled receptors and transcription factors, crucial for physiological responses. Researchers aim to create flat panels with multiple GPCRs to quickly assess drug candidates' effects.
Researchers found that CREB activity in the nucleus accumbens controls behavioral responses to emotional stimuli, including those related to drug rewards and anxiety. The study suggests a potential link between addiction and depression, implicating CREB's role in brain reward regions.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have discovered a protein called Homeodomain-Only Protein (HOP) that regulates heart growth from fetal stage to adulthood. HOP helps control the balance of cardiac cell proliferation and differentiation, with disrupted levels leading to abnormal heart development.
The new 800 MHz magnet will enable researchers to study larger and more complex biological systems, including protein folding and complex formation. This advancement is expected to significantly improve understanding of normal biological function and regulation, as well as the development of diseases and drug response.
The UT Southwestern and U.T. Dallas are receiving a $8 million NIH grant to establish the first national clinical trials network for Sickle Cell Disease. The center will focus on treatment and research initiatives to improve patient outcomes.
Bipolar disorder is associated with high rates of substance abuse, with 60% of patients using stimulants. Dual-diagnosis patients require increased hospitalization and have poorer treatment response. Researchers are studying medications to reduce drug cravings and usage.
UT Southwestern researchers have developed a vaccine against the deadly bioterrorism toxin ricin, which can be administered in foods and water or sprayed as an aerosol. The new vaccine has shown protective effects in mice and is believed to be safe and effective in humans.
Researchers discovered SynCAM plays a major role in synaptic formation, crucial for brain function and neural network development. The study provides insights into the process of synaptic transmission and its importance in neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers used genetically altered mice to explore how caffeine affects the brain, finding that it alters specific signaling activity similar to cocaine. The study shows caffeine's stimulating effects, rewarding properties, and potential for dependence, shedding light on its mechanisms in the brain.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a gene, HDAC9, that limits abnormal heart-muscle growth. The study shows that HDAC9 restricts cardiac growth in response to stress but does not affect normal growth during development or exercise.
Researchers found that mutations in muscle-cell caveolin cause defective filament assembly, leading to weakened pelvic- and shoulder-girdle muscles. Caveolae play a vital role in spatially organizing signal transduction at the cell surface.
Scientists have successfully transformed sedentary mouse muscles into fatigue-resistant type I muscle fibers by introducing the PGC-1Q protein, which activates energy production and oxidative metabolism. This breakthrough discovery holds promise for treating muscle fatigue in patients and individuals confined to bed rest.
A new study finds that low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets may increase the risk of developing kidney stones and raising bone loss. Researchers observed a significant decrease in urinary citrate levels and an increase in acid excretion in subjects following these diets.
Researchers at Salk Institute and UT Southwestern Medical Center identified a critical class of proteins controlling nerve connections from the eye to the brain. The study revealed how optic axons map their connections using Eph receptors and ephrin ligands, shedding light on neural development and potential repair mechanisms.
A recent study found that antiretroviral therapy targeting the central nervous system can improve neurological symptoms in HIV-infected children. The treatment was shown to reduce the amount of virus in their brains and improve developmental milestones.
Researchers found that low-dose extended-release niacin improves lipid levels and glycemic control in patients with diabetes. The therapy also raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, a healthier type of cholesterol.
Scientists discover that enzymes like p38 contain two binding sites, one for active site and another to tether substrate. This new understanding reveals a switch-like mechanism in cellular signaling.
A retrospective analysis of 4,054 study participants found that enalapril, an ACE inhibitor commonly given to patients with heart failure, is effective in both black and white populations. Despite equal response rates, black patients still had increased rates of progression to heart failure.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center discovered the protein White Collar –1, or WC-1, as the photoreceptor for light responses in fungi. This breakthrough finding sheds light on how life adjusts to the environment and has implications for understanding various physiological processes in fungi.
Researchers have developed a new technique using the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as a carrier to deliver a toxic agent selectively to tumor blood vessels. This approach has shown impressive anti-tumor effects in mice with human melanoma and prostate cancer, reducing tumor growth by up to 16 percent.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that genetic testing using breast cells can accurately predict breast cancer risk. The Gail model, a computer-based predictor, was correlated with DNA deletions and precancerous changes in cells, suggesting an individualized approach to risk assessment.
UT Southwestern researchers have developed two blood tests that can predict central nervous system infection in infants born to mothers with syphilis. These tests, which detect neonatal antibodies and DNA of the syphilis organism, were found to be effective in identifying all cases of CNS infection in a study of 148 infants.
Researchers found that cocaine elevates body temperature by impairing the body's ability to increase skin-blood flow, sweat, and perceive excessive heat stress. Cocaine abuse in hot temperatures increases the risk of serious heat-related injuries, including heat stroke and death.
Researchers found that high-fat diets lead to an accumulation of lithocholic acid, a toxic compound produced when the body processes cholesterol. The vitamin D receptor plays a crucial role in eliminating this acid, which may help prevent colon cancer. However, excessive vitamin D intake can cause other health issues.
Researchers have discovered a genetic environment behind nerve-tissue tumors that lead to cancer, specifically NF-1. The study found that tumors grow in a permissive environment but are nonexistent when the environment is restrictive, offering new hope for treatment approaches.
Researchers discovered that guggulsterone blocks the FXR receptor, regulating cholesterol metabolism. The study suggests that guggulsterone could lead to new drugs to control cholesterol levels and potentially treat hyperlipidemia.
Researchers identified the AGPAT2 gene as the cause of congenital generalized lipodystrophy, a rare disorder characterized by extreme lack of body fat at birth. The disorder leads to severe diabetes, insulin resistance, and metabolic complications in affected individuals.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that taking drug breaks during HIV treatment can lead to increased infections of CD4 cells, hastening their destruction and disease progression. This can ultimately give rise to full-blown AIDS, highlighting the importance of ongoing antiviral therapy.
Researchers at UT Southwestern and M.D. Anderson have identified eight genes on chromosome 3 that act as tumor suppressors in lung cancer. These genes were found to inhibit tumor growth and induce cell death in human lung cancer cells, suggesting a potential new approach for treating the disease.
Researchers found that certain proteasome proteins, Sug1 and Sug2, are involved in gene activation when genes are turned on. This discovery challenges conventional wisdom and could lead to a better understanding of human development and disease causes.
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has linked six genetic base substitutions to absorptive hypercalciuria, a condition that causes about 45% of all kidney stones. The presence of these base substitutions increases the risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.
Researchers found that a calcium-signaling protein transforms sedentary, easily fatigued muscle fibers into energy-producing, fatigue-resistant type I muscle fibers. This discovery could lead to novel measures to stimulate muscles in patients with chronic diseases or individuals confined to bed rest.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a critical gene, Bop, that controls the formation of heart chambers. The study found that deleting this gene in mouse embryos disrupted heart muscle cell maturation and right ventricle development.
Researchers have found a way to efficiently study early blood-cell development using the pag-3 gene in both mice and the common worm Caenorhabditis elegans. The study revealed that knocking out genes in mice results in blood formation defects consistent with predictions made by the worm research.
Researchers found that Copaxone, a commonly used MS treatment, stimulates CD8 cells in patients, whereas untreated patients show weaker responses. This new approach enables effective evaluation of both CD4 and CD8 cells taken directly from patients.
A study published in The Lancet found that simian virus 40 (SV40) was present in 43% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, with lower rates in Hodgkin lymphoma cases. Researchers discovered a potential link between SV40 and human cancer, which could lead to new detection and treatment methods.
Bacteria use transporters to pump iron into cells, a process that could be exploited for new antibiotic designs. Researchers deciphered the structure of an iron transporter and found it undergoes dramatic changes when transporting iron.
Researchers found that cocaine increases blood pressure by stimulating the heart to cause rapid heartbeat and increased cardiac output. This elevation can lead to damage of vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidney. The study's findings may lead to new treatment strategies for cocaine-induced blood pressure elevation.
A UT Southwestern study has found a link between Mycoplasma pneumoniae bacteria and asthma, suggesting that lingering infections may cause chronic respiratory issues. The research suggests that treating acute M. pneumoniae infections could help prevent later development of asthma.
Researchers report significant improvements in patients with rare fat disorders who received leptin replacement therapy, including reduced triglyceride levels and liver fat accumulation. The therapy also controlled severe insulin resistance and improved blood glucose levels in most participants.