Articles tagged with Drug Targets
Scientists have determined the structure and mechanism of a key enzyme in Staphylococcus aureus that produces cholesterol and a virulence factor. This breakthrough could lead to new cholesterol-lowering drugs and antibiotics against staph infections, as well as treatments for parasitic diseases.
Researchers have developed a groundbreaking technique to visualize cellular changes in deep brain regions, providing insight into addiction and brain tumors. The study used time-lapse fluorescence microendoscopy to track structural changes in neurons over weeks.
Scientists have developed a technique to freeze the adrenaline receptor in one position, allowing them to determine its structure and develop new or better drugs. This breakthrough has significant prospects for medicine, particularly for treating asthma and heart disease, as well as understanding other GPCRs.
Researchers created a model predicting a drug's likelihood of causing birth defects by analyzing genes targeted by the medication. The model showed 79% accuracy in classifying drugs as safe or known to be teratogenic.
A new study found that deep brain stimulation (DBS) targets the same class of neuronal cells known to respond to exercise and Prozac, leading to an increase in new neurons in the hippocampus. The targeted area, anterior thalamic nucleus, may provide a guide for designing better treatments.
A team of researchers found that the protein LXR-beta is necessary for glucocorticoid drugs to cause severe side effects. In mice lacking LXR-beta, high blood glucose and fatty liver were avoided but immunosuppression remained.
Researchers have discovered that plasminogen, a protein that breaks down blood clots, accelerates the progression of prion diseases by putting rogue prion proteins into overdrive. This finding presents a promising new target for anti-prion therapy, which could improve treatment options for patients suffering from prion diseases.
Researchers have identified two FDA-approved cancer drugs that can inhibit NOD2's activity, offering a new avenue for treating Crohn's disease and sarcoidosis. The medications target the NOD2:RIP2 pathway, potentially alleviating symptoms and improving outcomes for patients with these conditions.
Scientists identified a key enzyme in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that can be targeted for new TB treatments. Three compounds were found to inhibit the enzyme effectively, killing bacterial cells.
Researchers found a previously unknown link between two ion channels that can cause symptoms in MS patients. The sodium and leak current channels play a crucial role in signal transmission, and manipulating their balance may lead to new therapeutic opportunities.
Scientists at The University of Nottingham have pinpointed 72 molecular switches controlling the malaria parasite's three key stages. Their research, funded by Wellcome Trust and MRC, is a significant breakthrough in finding cheap and effective solutions to stop malaria transmission.
Researchers have developed miniature solar cells that can release chemotherapeutic drugs directly to tumors, reducing systemic side effects. The devices convert light into electric current and can be controlled by varying the intensity of light.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have identified four new DNA hotspots that may aid in developing new treatments for psoriasis. The study, published in Nature Genetics, builds on past work by U-M researchers and provides a better understanding of the hereditary factors of the disease.
Researchers are investigating a theory that 'friendly bacteria' can kill bone cancer cells in osteosarcoma. Modifying Salmonella typhimurium to produce molecules that target cancer-causing molecules could lead to a more effective treatment for bone cancer.
Researchers at Florida State University developed a novel genetic screening method to identify drug-resistant HCV strains and molecular-level mechanisms. This technology also works on HIV and influenza, offering a potentially life-saving solution for over 170 million people worldwide infected with HCV.
A new study investigates the temporal relationship between cough and reflux using a validated sound recording device. The study found that 70% of patients exhibited temporal associations, with cough preceding reflux in 48% of cases.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a drug that can reduce or eliminate airborne disease transmission when someone coughs. The new treatment uses a spray form and has shown promise in suppressing droplet emission from lung fluid.
Scientists at NPL have developed a new strategy for quicker and more precise detection of biomarkers, proteins indicating disease. This approach uses a probe to 'fish' for likely proteins in crowded blood samples, potentially leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's and cancer.
A new report suggests that conserving and wisely using existing antibiotics is key to slowing the rise of antibiotic-resistant infections. The proposal would reward pharmaceutical companies for marketing drugs in a way that keeps resistance rates low by setting 'effectiveness targets' and coordinating with physicians and hospitals.
A team of University of Michigan scientists found that suppressing a newly discovered gene, drr-2, lengthens the lifespan of roundworms. The study suggests that manipulating the drr-2 gene's action could produce similar effects as reducing caloric intake.
Research suggests SSRIs affect more than one cellular process, including phospholipid membranes and vesicle trafficking, in yeast cells. This discovery could lead to new therapies and explain why different people respond differently to the same medication.
Researchers have developed a way to deliver drugs directly to tumors using nanoparticles, reducing the risk of severe side effects. The new approach uses immune cells to target tumors, allowing for more effective cancer treatment.
Researchers have identified a unique metabolic pathway in Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest malaria parasite, which could be targeted with anti-malarial drugs. The discovery, published in Nature, reveals that the parasite uses a double-branched pathway to generate acetyl-CoA, a crucial molecule for its survival.
Professor Varda Shoshan-Barmatz has developed a peptide that targets and kills cancer cells while sparing normal cells. The grant will be used to develop therapeutic peptides for B-CLL, one of the most common and incurable hematological malignancies.
The new fluorescent biosensor could aid in the development of drugs targeting GPCRs, a crucial class of proteins present in cells. The biosensor uses fluoromodules to monitor protein activity and provides a homogeneous assay that can screen large numbers of molecules to identify new drug leads.
Researchers found that TB bacteria tip the balance between cell death types, affecting immune response. Drugs targeting eicosanoid production may offer new treatment options for TB.
Researchers identified how human mutant 'huntingtin' proteins form into large clumps, killing brain cells and leading to progressive Huntington's disease. The discovery reveals that these clusters place a steady stress on cells over time, providing potential targets for targeted treatments.
Researchers identified a way to predict which cancer patients will respond to everolimus, a treatment targeting the protein mTOR. The presence of KRAS gene mutations is associated with lack of response to treatment, suggesting that looking for PIK3CA and KRAS mutations can help predict patient outcomes.
Researchers identify pedunculopontine nucleus as key brain region in Parkinson's disease-related gait disorders. Targeting acetylcholine-producing nerve cells may alleviate falls and improve walking abilities.
A new technique developed by Professor Fiona Watt's team allows for the examination of individual stem cells to learn about their biology and screen new drugs. This approach has demonstrated its potential to encourage stem cells to repair damaged tissues.
Scientists discover A20 protein plays a protective role in chronic bowel inflammation, making it a promising therapeutic target. The study confirms genome-wide analysis results showing defects in A20 associated with Crohn's disease development.
A recent study published in PLoS Pathogens has identified two molecules, PPARγ and LXR, that can inhibit specific aspects of HIV transmission. The findings suggest that these molecules may be targets for therapies targeting mucosal HIV transmission.
A study by Columbia researchers has identified eight genes associated with alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease affecting 5.3 million Americans, and found that drugs targeting these pathways may lead to new treatments.
Researchers discovered a complex network of cell proteins that work together, suggesting medicines should target groups rather than individual proteins. This study, published in Science, has the potential to develop more effective treatments for illnesses.
The study reveals how HIV protein Tat interacts with the human protein P-TEFb, altering its shape. This knowledge may lead to the design of inhibitors that target P-TEFb only when it is interacting with Tat, potentially reducing viral replication without harming normal cell function.
Zoltan Takacs, a herpetologist and toxinologist, has been named National Geographic Emerging Explorer for 2010. He develops toxin-based drugs from venomous snake toxins, which have the potential to treat various diseases including cancer, circulatory disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers used PET probes to monitor immune cell function in mice with a retrovirus-induced sarcoma. The study found that two different PET probes detect distinct immune cell populations, primarily innate immune cells and active CD8+ T cells.
A recent study found that age-related cortical bone loss is a significant contributor to osteoporosis, with 80% of fractures in old age occurring at cortical sites. Researchers propose targeting cortical bone loss as a potential strategy for reducing fracture risk and improving treatment outcomes.
Dr. Joel Hirsch's research provides new information on how calcium channels work and offers a framework for designing drugs that can modulate them to provide relief from chronic pain. The discovery has the potential to lead to new treatments for conditions such as backaches, sore limbs, and arthritis.
Researchers have developed compounds that inhibit bacterial enzymes with longer residence times, correlating with improved in vivo activity. This discovery may lead to the development of agents for non-invasive bacterial imaging using positron emission tomography.
A new study from Children's Hospital Boston finds that TRPV3 is a key regulator of skin and hair growth, leading to thinner, less intact skin when knocked out. The researchers suggest that stimulating TRPV3 activity could lead to new treatments for skin conditions, hair growth, or unwanted hair growth.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered how two proteins manipulate nerve cells to send pain signals, offering a new target for painkillers. This breakthrough could lead to more effective and safer pain treatments by targeting peripheral nervous system.
Researchers have discovered a new drug that targets the root cause of painful menstrual cramps, called dysmenorrhea. The compound, VA111913, has shown promise in Phase II clinical trials and could be available to patients in four years if studies continue to show positive results.
LCZ696, a new dual-action drug, has been shown to provide significantly greater reductions in blood pressure than the established ARB valsartan. The drug's dual mechanism of action, blocking both angiotensin II and neprilysin, may offer superior benefits for treating hypertension and heart failure.
Researchers at Yale University have discovered a new way to grow arteries using a drug that inhibits a specific signaling pathway. This breakthrough could lead to a non-invasive 'biological bypass' option for patients with coronary artery disease.
A new study by Johns Hopkins scientists found that Notch-blocking drugs can kill brain cancer stem cells in mice, with a 70% reduction rate. However, further experiments suggested that additional therapies or increased dosage of Notch-blocking drugs may be necessary to target all cancer stem cells.
Acute stroke care has improved significantly at hospitals participating in the Get With The Guidelines–Stroke program, with overall composite care improving from 72% to 93%. Hospital participation made a big impact on stroke death rates, reducing the risk-adjusted odds of in-hospital mortality by 10%.
Scientists created oil droplets that can solve complex mazes using pH gradients, potentially helping cancer drugs reach tumors and nano-machines move accurately. This technology could be used to design new anti-cancer drugs and improve the navigation of futuristic nano-machines.
Researchers found that random fluctuations in gene expression can cause some individuals to express a trait even if they have the mutated gene. This phenomenon is controlled by specific fluctuations in mRNA production and appears to be influenced by environmental factors.
A team of researchers at the University of Illinois has discovered a potent inhibitor for malaria parasites and disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis. The compound, PPP, is 1,000 times more potent than previous inhibitors and targets an enzyme called IspH, which promotes the synthesis of essential compounds.
A new multi-targeted treatment regimen combining chemotherapy and targeted drugs improves progression-free survival and tumour response in patients with metastatic renal-cell carcinoma. The study found a clinical benefit rate of over 90% with manageable side effects.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified several FDA-approved agents that can shift cellular energy metabolism processes, including an over-the-counter anti-nausea drug, meclizine. This approach may offer new therapeutic strategies for treating heart attack and stroke.
A new instrument called PIB-PET effectively detects amyloid-beta protein plaques in the brains of living people, predictive of who will develop Alzheimer's disease. The study confirms the sensitivity of the tool and provides strong evidence supporting the 'amyloid hypothesis'.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have identified Plasmepsin V as a key survival protein used by the malaria parasite to transform human red blood cells. This discovery offers a clear target for developing a new class of anti-malarial drugs that destroy the parasite, providing hope for combating the disease.
Scientists have identified a new mechanism that helps the body burn more energy, leading to increased fat burning and lean muscle mass. The study suggests that targeting the Fyn kinase enzyme may offer a promising approach for developing new weight loss treatments.
A targeted antiviral medication program, combined with aggressive hand sanitization and surface decontamination, was associated with containing the spread of H1N1 in a summer camp setting. The study found that the program reduced the attack rate of the virus from 1.8% to zero among campers.
Researchers at Medical College of Georgia identified neogenin as a key player in regulating iron levels, providing a new target for drugs to treat iron deficiency and overload. Studies showed that neogenin inhibits the secretion of an RGM gene called hemojuvelin, which controls circulating iron levels.
Researchers have developed targeted nanoparticles that can deliver medicine directly to damaged artery walls, potentially eliminating the need for arterial stents in some patients. The nanoparticles, called nanoburrs, release their drug payload over several days and can be designed to target specific areas of damage.
Researchers at University of Helsinki and Paul Scherrer Institute determine crystal structure of VEGF-C ligand binding domain with its receptor complex, providing new insights into cancer cell growth and metastasis. The findings support the use of blocking VEGFs as a strategy to inhibit tumor growth.
A new international study has found that ustekinumab is more effective than etanercept in treating moderate to severe psoriasis. Ustekinumab showed a 75% improvement in symptoms in 67.5% and 73.8% of patients, compared to 56.8% for etanercept.