Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
Researchers have identified enzymes and biochemical compounds that target the dengue virus, suggesting a potential new therapy. Medications used for high cholesterol may also inhibit the virus's replication.
The discovery of the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) structure could lead to the development of new medications targeting addiction, depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and other conditions. Salvinorin A, a hallucinogenic compound from the Salvia plant, interacts with only one receptor type in the human brain.
Scientists at the University of Toronto have found a molecular mechanism that controls the transition of Candida albicans from yeast to fungus under elevated temperatures. This new pathway highlights the importance of heat in fungal growth and provides a potential target for drug therapies.
Researchers found a new potential target, alpha3beta4 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, which plays a role in addictive properties of cocaine, morphine, and nicotine. AT-1001, a highly selective compound, disrupts addiction processes and reduces nicotine withdrawal symptoms.
Two large meta-analyses found a genetic variation in the interleukin-6 receptor associated with lower levels of inflammatory biomarkers and reduced coronary heart disease risk. A single-nucleotide polymorphism was linked to effects consistent with known benefits of IL6R blockade in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
A recent study found that the protein Mer resides in the nucleus of leukemia cells, suggesting it may influence gene expression and contribute to cancer development. This discovery opens up new avenues for targeted treatments and potentially more accurate diagnoses.
A genetic study found that targeting the interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R) signalling pathway could be an effective way to combat heart disease. The research, led by the University of Cambridge, discovered a genetic variant that reduces the risk of coronary heart disease.
A team of researchers has found that an antidepressant called tranylcypromine (TCP) can harness the power of a vitamin A-derivative to treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The study reveals that inhibiting an enzyme called LSD1 with TCP can switch genes on, making cancer cells susceptible to ATRA.
A recent study has successfully flushed latent HIV infection from hiding using a drug used to treat certain types of lymphoma. The results show that targeting the biological mechanism that keeps the HIV virus hidden can be effective in providing a cure.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a protein called PRDM16 that can convert ordinary white fat cells into brown fat cells, which burn calories. This discovery makes PRDM16 a possible target for future obesity treatments.
Researchers determined the mechanism by which sulfa drugs kill bacteria, revealing a chemical reaction known as an Sn1 reaction. This discovery provides a basis for developing new antibiotics that are harder to resist and cause fewer side effects.
Researchers have discovered a modified bone drug that can effectively kill the malaria parasite in infected mice, working at very low concentrations with no toxicity observed. The new compound, BPH-703, targets a key enzyme essential for the parasite's survival and immune evasion.
Vascular Magnetics, spun off from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, is developing a drug delivery system that uses magnetically targeted nanoparticles to treat peripheral artery disease. The company has raised $7 million in funding and plans to begin clinical trials in 2014.
Four new drugs offer innovative methods of action against prostate cancer, including bone protective agents, hormone treatments and immunotherapy. These advancements could extend survival prognosis and potentially turn prostate cancer into a chronic disease.
Researchers developed new drugs targeting calcium channel in neurons to completely suppress absence seizures in rats and test them in humans. The results show a significant reduction in seizure duration as well.
The article proposes an ethical framework to guide coverage decisions for expensive orphan drugs, considering the tension between saving lives and avoiding unfair advantages to identifiable patients. It suggests evaluating potential health gains in context and weighing opportunity costs to determine acceptable expenditure.
Researchers discovered that CTLP acts as a key pass granting Treponema access to oral bacteria communities. Inhibiting CTLP could reduce bleeding gums and slow down periodontal disease progression. Regular tooth brushing is crucial in keeping harmful mouth bacteria at bay.
A new editorial aims to clarify drug and alcohol addiction terminology by defining current treatments' modes of action and targets. The authors suggest that a better understanding of these elements would aid in the development of more effective treatments, particularly for opioid and tobacco addictions.
A team of chemists from Michigan State University has discovered a way to isolate and test the P2X1 receptor in blood platelets, unlocking its potential as a new drug target for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cystic fibrosis. The research allows researchers to re-test existing medications by attaching to the receptor.
A new review article suggests that medications targeting T-cells can significantly benefit patients with psoriatic arthritis, reducing symptoms and improving joint function. Surgery may also be considered for patients with joint deformities, offering insights into outcomes and risks for those who progress to joint destruction.
Researchers from Boston College have discovered a protein called DOC2.1 that plays a pivotal role in the progression of toxoplasmosis and malaria. The team found that the function of this protein could be genetically blocked, potentially leading to the development of new drugs that target it.
Researchers have developed 'smart' injectable nanotherapeutics that can selectively deliver drugs to the cells of the pancreas, increasing therapeutic efficacy by 200-fold and reducing toxic side effects. This technology has the potential to revolutionize treatment for Type I diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Leicester have discovered a link between inositol phosphate signalling and histone deacetylase enzymes, which play a key role in regulating gene expression. This finding has significant implications for the therapeutic intervention of certain types of cancer.
Scientists developed a new strategy to fight infectious diseases by blocking pathogen entry into cells rather than killing the bug itself. This approach targets specific elements of the infection process inside the host body and has shown promising results in treating Leishmania parasites.
A study at UCLA has identified 56 proteins that show significant differences between people with familial Alzheimer's disease and those without it. The changes may represent an early manifestation of the loss of critical brain structures, providing potential new targets for drug interventions.
Researchers at Washington University have characterized a protein crucial to the life of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. The enzyme, phosphoethanolamine methyltransferase (PMT), is an ideal target for new antimalarial drugs due to its unique characteristics and lack of homologues in humans.
A new gene called RGS9-2 has been found to regulate body weight by modulating metabolism. The discovery was made by a University of Rhode Island researcher who initially studied the gene's role in brain protein dyskinesia, a side effect of certain medications.
Researchers identify PDHK enzyme as a key player in cancer cell metabolism, enabling targeted anti-cancer therapy. Inhibiting PDHK activity slows tumor growth and reduces glucose uptake by cancer cells.
Researchers at Salk Institute find connection between cryptochromes and glucocorticoid receptors to regulate sugar metabolism, potentially avoiding side effects of asthma, allergies, and arthritis drugs. The discovery may lead to new therapies targeting the biological clock.
Researchers from the University of Leicester and UCLA have made a major breakthrough in developing targeted drugs to lower 'bad' cholesterol levels. By targeting the enzyme IDOL, scientists aim to increase LDL receptor production, thereby lowering circulating cholesterol levels in humans.
A team of scientists has identified the 'key' that HIV uses to enter cells' nuclei, allowing it to disable the immune system and cause AIDS. By targeting proteins in the host rather than the virus itself, researchers hope to develop more effective anti-AIDS drugs against drug-resistant strains.
Researchers validate preclinical effectiveness of TB drug target DNA gyrase B, killing bacteria in both replicating and dormant states. This could lead to a shorter treatment length, improving patient compliance and reducing drug resistance.
Researchers discovered a unique metabolic pathway in some tumors, potentially targeting for drug development. The reverse Krebs cycle pathway was found to run counter-clockwise in tumors, providing a new therapeutic target. This breakthrough could lead to effective treatments for certain types of cancer.
Researchers discovered that cancer drug cisplatin binds up to 20-fold more to RNA than DNA, suggesting a new approach for reducing toxic side effects. The study found platinum was retained on RNA and bound quickly, with specific locations targeted.
A new therapeutic target, EGFR, has been identified for treating Cushing disease. Clinical trials are necessary to investigate the effects of gefitinib in patients with this condition.
Researchers found that silibinin from milk thistle prevents lung cancer growth by inhibiting COX2 and iNOS production. This natural compound may be as effective as current treatments for lung cancer, targeting promising therapeutic targets STAT1 and STAT3.
Researchers at UC San Diego have identified a new class of drugs that can arrest division in virtually all tumor cells by altering the structure of the RAF enzyme. The discovery offers an effective alternative to current therapies and has shown promising results in tests on cancer cell lines, animal models, and human tissue biopsies.
Researchers have developed a method to design drugs that can target specific areas of the brain by selectively blocking subtype SK channels. This breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for dementia and depression by enhancing nerve activity in specific nerves.
A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that US FDA testing of imported seafood is inadequate, with only 2% of imports tested, compared to 15-50% in EU, Japan, and Canada. This lack of inspection may lead to adverse health consequences due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at Brown University have created an unprecedentedly detailed description of a kinase complex, which could lead to new therapeutic drugs for diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer. The team discovered a unique binding site, called KIS, that plays a crucial role in the complex's formation.
A potential new drug target has been discovered to stop debilitating effects of MS by preventing brain cell death caused by granzyme B. The target is the M6PR receptor, which allows granzyme B to enter neurons and wreak havoc.
Researchers create entirely new platform for developing antimalarial drugs, focusing on quirk in plasmodium infection process. The goal is to design 'tailored inhibitors' that block crystal surface growth and prevent malaria spread.
Researchers found that altering a specific site on the NMDA receptor subunits reduced activity and calcium overload in neurons, potentially leading to new therapies for Alzheimer's and stroke. The discovery offers a promising opportunity for rationally designing drugs with more precise effects.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have identified a rare genetic alteration responsible for a severe form of hypoglycemia. This discovery offers an explanation for the condition and suggests a potential target for new drugs.
Three international teams describe in unprecedented detail the workings of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), a major molecular target for drugs. GPCRs are essential to human life, involved in almost every physiological function, and malfunctions have been linked to dozens of diseases.
Researchers predict numerous human proteins required by HIV to replicate, discovering potential new targets for controlling the spread of HIV. The study also identifies prognostic markers to determine pathological outcome and AIDS development.
Dr. Douglas A. Mitchell, an Illinois professor, has been awarded the $1.5 million NIH Director's New Innovator Award to develop a generalized toxin-disabling strategy against bacterial pathogens. His approach aims to create drugs that combat pathogenic microbes without promoting antibiotic resistance.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute discovered that fetal brain damage from oxygen deprivation is linked to the action of a fatty molecule called LPA, which can be targeted with drugs. This finding provides a new strategy to limit or prevent serious developmental brain diseases.
Scientists at UCSF have identified a crucial chemical that the malaria parasite produces internally, allowing it to survive in human blood. This insight provides a powerful tool for discovering and designing new treatments.
UBC researchers identified the mechanism that leads T-cells to spring into action, providing a new target for future or existing drugs to bolster the immune systems of people with HIV or cancer. Such drugs could also be used to stop the rejection of transplanted organs or inhibit the immune system from attacking normal tissues.
A new class of drugs called cardiac myosin activators targets the motor proteins in heart failure patients, prolonging contraction duration and improving blood pumped per stroke. Omecamtiv mercabil shows promise as a safe and effective treatment option with minimal increased energy expenditure.
Researchers have devised a new technique that simplifies the improvement of drugs and other products by adding a CF3 molecule. This method reduces the need for high-heat equipment and metal catalysts, making it safer and more accessible to chemists.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have decoded the workings of Pyrazinamide (PZA), a critical TB drug. PZA inhibits trans-translation, a process essential for cell survival under stress conditions, making it effective against non-growing bacteria called persisters.
Dimitrios Morikis and Lincoln Johnson aim to create new inhibitors of the complement system to treat the disease, which affects over 1.75 million Americans. The researchers will use computational modeling and virtual screening to identify potential treatments.
A USC scientist has created a lentiviral vector that targets and destroys HIV-infected cells using 'suicide gene therapy', depleting about 35% of existing HIV cells in culture dishes. The treatment approach is an important step towards curing HIV and will be tested in mice next.
Researchers used human hearts to replicate a mouse study on KATP ion channel drug targets, finding one target ineffective in humans. The findings underscore the importance of translating results from animal models to clinical trials in cardiovascular research.
Scientists at Joslin Diabetes Center have discovered a new connection between obesity and insulin resistance through altered protein splicing. The study suggests that changes in RNA splicing proteins may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, offering potential targets for novel diabetes drugs.
Researchers from the University of Melbourne have developed a new cold electron source that enables enhanced nanoimaging at the atomic or nanoscale. This technology will aid in designing better drugs and understanding material vulnerabilities, leading to advancements in health and advanced technology industries.
Researchers at UC Riverside have made a breakthrough discovery in understanding epileptic seizures by developing a computational model that simulates the cortical network. The model shows that restricting chloride increase can lead to faster seizure termination and even make seizures impossible, offering new hope for treating epilepsy.
Researchers are developing a new class of drugs targeting protein structures within cell membranes to treat autoimmune diseases. The 'membrane mimic' technology could provide a direct view of mechanical movements that take place during cell signalling.