Articles tagged with Drug Targets
Researchers identified three pathways common to in vitro and in vivo dengue virus infections, including the NF-kappaB initiated immune pathway, type I interferon pathway, and ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Inhibiting these pathways resulted in significant inhibition of viral replication, suggesting new avenues for drug development.
Shigetada Nakanishi's work has led to new tools and drug targets in neuroscience. His discoveries are bringing a full understanding of the human brain closer.
Researchers found peroxynitrite plays a crucial role in opiate-induced antinociceptive tolerance in mice. Accumulation of tyrosine-nitrated proteins and oxidative DNA damage were associated with this process.
A phase II trial of axitinib has shown promising activity in patients with cytokine-refractory, metastatic kidney cancer. In the trial, 23 patients had complete or partial responses, with some responses lasting up to 26 months.
Researchers have determined the precise picture of cell target for drugs, giving them greater control over treatment. The high-resolution structure of a human G-protein-coupled receptor, such as beta 2-adrenergic receptor, can direct the future design of drugs that precisely bind to specific receptors.
A virtual simulation model called Pathogen Simulation (PathSim) was developed to study the progression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in humans. The researchers used PathSim to simulate EBV infection and observe its impact on the immune system, finding critical switch points that determine disease progression.
Researchers found that CFTR mutations cause TGN acidity, leading to increased furin activity, which promotes tissue fibrosis and suppresses immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The study suggests chloroquine as a potential treatment and identifies furin inhibitors as new therapeutics for cystic fibrosis
Researchers have solved the first high-resolution structure of the mammalian HSP90 protein, GRP94, which is implicated in immune diseases such as sepsis, AIDS, and certain cancers. This breakthrough provides new insights into the function and activity patterns of this protein, paving the way for the design of targeted therapies.
A team of scientists discovered that a cell protein plays a crucial role in protecting cancer cells from chemotherapy drugs. Blocking this protein's expression increased sensitivity to chemotherapeutic drugs in lung cancer cells, offering a potential target for improving treatment outcomes.
A team of researchers funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has solved the complete genome of Brugia malayi, a parasite that causes elephantiasis. This breakthrough reveals dozens of potential new targets for drugs or vaccines, offering new opportunities for understanding, treating and preventing the disease.
Researchers identify fundamental brain defect in fragile X syndrome and find a potential drug target using a therapy that reverses the effects of the mutation. The discovery could lead to human therapies for this previously untreatable condition.
A new study shows that tamoxifen, a breast cancer medication, dramatically reduces manic symptoms of bipolar disorder more quickly than many standard medications. Tamoxifen blocks an enzyme called protein kinase C, which is thought to be over-active during the manic phase.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have identified new sites on bacterial protein-making machinery where antibiotics can be delivered to treat infections. The study found that targeting specific regions of the ribosome, a crucial cellular component, may provide a novel approach to developing effective antibiotics.
A multidisciplinary team led by UCSD researchers has determined the structure of MitoNEET, a protein that shows promise as a target for developing innovative diabetes drugs. The discovery provides insights into how these drugs may protect cells from oxidative stress and potentially offer greater specificity and fewer side effects.
A recent study discovered that mice lacking the protein myostatin and overproducing follistatin have four times more muscle mass than normal mice. This finding offers new avenues for enhancing muscle growth in patients with muscular dystrophy and other wasting diseases.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine suggests that COX-2 inhibitors like Vioxx trigger life-threatening side effects by stimulating blood clotting. The researchers propose a solution by administering TF-reducing drugs alongside Cox-2 inhibitors to treat people safely
The new guidelines aim to reduce ambiguity and capture necessary information from experiments to provide a deeper level of understanding. They have been implemented in public repositories such as ArrayExpress, IntAct, and PRIDE, enabling easier identification and use of relevant data.
Johns Hopkins researchers have solved the long-standing puzzle of how bacteria produce the B vitamin folate, uncovering an unknown enzyme that plays a crucial role in the process. The discovery sheds light on potential antibacterial drug targets and could lead to new therapeutic options.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed nanogels that can uniformly release encapsulated carbohydrate-based drugs, enabling targeted delivery to specific tissues like cancer cells. The nanogels are biodegradable and non-toxic, allowing for prolonged circulation time within the bloodstream.
Researchers suggest treating CML patients with a combination of imatinib and dasatinib to prevent BCR-ABL mutants that are resistant to both drugs. A study found that combining the two drugs can increase time before relapse or decrease chance of cancer return.
Researchers investigating chronic myeloid leukemia treatment options suggest combining drugs to combat resistance, while others explore targeting prostaglandin E2 receptor EP1 for hypertension therapy. Additionally, a study reveals that Sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2 deficiency prevents abnormal blood vessel formation in the retina.
Scientists at Cure Lab, Inc. have identified a new target for the development of anti-influenza drugs, specifically the M2 protein, which may be responsible for killing human cells. This discovery has the potential to lead to a new generation of medicines that can complement existing treatments for influenza.
The study provides a complete picture of how anthrax-causing bacteria survive and grow inside immune cells, identifying key genes and enzymes that play crucial roles. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective and easily tolerated treatments for anthrax infections.
A new MIT model can predict how cells will respond to targeted drug therapies, enabling better treatment choices for individual patients. The model is based on similarities in cell signaling pathways and could help test the effectiveness of drugs for various diseases.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered that the overactive Ras gene is responsible for above-normal secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which drives tumor growth. Inhibiting IL-6 production reduces new blood vessel creation, crucial for tumor development and nourishment.
A Northwestern University researcher has found that old memory traces in the prefrontal cortex may trigger chronic pain. The discovery led to a new drug, D-Cycloserine, which controls persistent nerve pain by targeting the emotional suffering of pain.
Researchers create nanotubes to deliver therapeutic proteins or drugs in a highly-controlled manner, avoiding side effects and improving treatment outcomes. The method targets the drug where it is needed, reducing dosage and promoting better absorption.
A new drug under investigation for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) shows promising results in reducing new brain lesions and frequency of relapses. Researchers at the Montreal Neurological Institute found that rituximab significantly improved treatment outcomes, providing a clearer picture of the role of B-cells in MS.
A Georgetown University expert reveals how drug reps manipulate physicians with finely-tuned doses of friendship and financial incentives. The authors found that friendly doctors are the easiest to influence, while those who refuse are often wooed with gifts and flattery.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a novel target for developing drugs to treat human obesity and diabetes. A relative of the anti-aging gene Klotho, known as beta-Klotho, helps activate a hormone that can lower blood glucose levels in fat cells of mice.
A former drug rep reveals how sales forces use tactics like finely-tuned doses of friendship, free samples, and lavish gifts to manipulate physicians into selling their drugs. This manipulation can lead to increased prescribing of targeted medications, often at the expense of more effective alternatives.
Scientists at the University of Bristol have found that inflammation caused by trapped white blood cells can obstruct blood flow to the brain, leading to poor oxygen supply. This discovery suggests a new mechanism for high blood pressure, with potential therapeutic targets for treatment.
Researchers have discovered that bacteria can enter immune system cells through a pore in the cell membrane, triggering an immune response without activating Toll-like receptors. This finding offers new perspectives for developing human vaccines and drugs that target inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
Researchers at Jefferson University identified a protein called Akt1 that plays a crucial role in helping breast cancer cells spread. The finding could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this protein, potentially slowing or stopping the growth and progression of breast cancer.
A new method developed by Professor Jarl Wikberg at Uppsala University allows for the precise analysis of retroviral protein interactions with small molecules. This enables the prediction of effective drug candidates against various HIV-strain resistance.
Researchers discovered that propranolol decreases erythrocyte G protein activity and inhibits blood-stage malarial parasite growth in red blood cells. The study suggests using propranolol in combination with existing antimalarials to reduce treatment doses, providing a novel antimalarial target and potential treatment strategy.
A new protein called sperm flagellar energy carrier (SFEC) has been discovered in the sperm tail, which may play a role in disabling sperm swimming. The discovery is significant because SFEC is linked to glycolysis, a process that produces energy in the sperm's tail.
The TEACH study is a Phase III trial investigating the experimental drug Tykerb in patients with early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer who have not been treated with Herceptin. The trial aims to determine whether Tykerb can benefit women several years after their initial diagnosis of breast cancer.
Researchers at Rice University and UT Austin have identified a promising antiviral drug target in the long, flexible tail of the nucleoprotein protein. Minor changes to this region prevent the protein from fulfilling its role in structural columns that transmit viral copies.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have characterized a component of the SARS virus that will be the target of new anti-SARS drugs. By determining the concentration at which individual proteinase molecules form active dimers, scientists can search for compounds that bind to the active form of the enzyme.
Researchers propose a new model for targeted cancer therapy, suggesting that disruption of cell signaling pathways leads to cell death. This could lead to more effective treatment strategies and personalized cancer treatment.
Researchers at Oregon State University discovered that aging blood vessels lose elasticity due to a breakdown in cellular signaling. A complex enzymatic process explains how this occurs, involving phosphorylation and ceramide synthesis. Diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help slow down this natural process.
A team of NIAID scientists identified a human protein that helps varicella-zoster virus spread from cell to cell. Interfering with this interaction inhibits the virus' spread, and blocking it may lead to new therapies for shingles.
In a year-long clinical trial, MK-0557, an antiobesity drug targeting the hunger-stimulating factor neuropeptide Y, failed to produce clinically meaningful weight loss. The drug showed modest weight loss in obese individuals but was not sufficient as a standalone treatment.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that cancer cells use NF-kB survival factor to stay alive when attacked by chemotherapeutic drugs. This finding suggests a strategy to enhance the effectiveness of rapamycin-based therapies by inhibiting NF-kB signaling.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins have identified a previously unknown way the trypanosome parasite that causes African sleeping sickness makes fatty acids. The discovery of this unique biochemical pathway could lead to the development of new drugs to treat the illness.
Researchers discovered that the brain's endocannabinoid system provides 'on-demand' protection against seizures by modulating glutamatergic transmission in neurons. The study suggests that this system might be a prime target for drugs against epilepsy and neurodegenerative diseases.
A research team at the University of Georgia has identified a crucial metabolic pathway in Toxoplasma gondii that is essential for its survival. This discovery could lead to the development of new drugs to control the parasite's effects on humans and animals, particularly pregnant mothers and those with compromised immune systems.
A new experimental RNA-based drug has been shown to kill prostate cancer cells by targeting specific genes and inducing cell death. The treatment, developed at Duke University Medical Center, was tested in mice and found to shrink tumor size by half without causing any side effects.
The study reveals the three-dimensional structure of the smallpox virus topoisomerase-DNA complex, providing crucial insights into how the viral enzyme recognizes and activates specific DNA sequences. This knowledge will facilitate the design of targeted agents to combat poxvirus infections and prevent smallpox replication.
Partnerships between UK hospitals and developing world hospitals can be mutually beneficial. Healthcare in Somaliland has improved due to the partnership, including increased trained nurses, physiotherapists, and students. The UK also benefits from these partnerships, with health professionals gaining new skills and perspectives.
Rick Cote, a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at UNH, has received a $1.4 million grant from the NIH to study the central enzyme that controls initial steps of vision. His research aims to understand how genetic or environmental defects in the visual pathway can cause vision loss or total blindness.
A new study reveals that ADHD medications mainly affect the prefrontal cortex, a region linked to attention and decision-making. This finding could aid in developing more effective treatments.
Researchers found that a gene-regulating enzyme is targeted by certain monoamine oxidase inhibitors used to treat depression. These drugs, such as tranylcypromine, may also have anti-cancer activity due to their ability to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Research on neuropeptide S suggests it can reduce biochemical and behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia, while also alleviating anxiety and promoting wakefulness. The study's findings indicate the NPS receptor could be a target for developing novel antipsychotic drugs.
Researchers at UT Southwestern identified a defect in the Ly108 gene as a cause of immune cells attacking healthy tissues, leading to systemic lupus erythematosus. The study's findings could lead to better diagnostic tests and therapies for human lupus.
Studies have shown that glycerrhetinic acid and glycerrhizic acid, found in liquorice, preferentially accumulate in the liver and can target tumors effectively. This could lead to improved treatment outcomes with reduced toxic effects on other parts of the body.
Researchers genetically altered mice to resist cocaine's effects, discovering that blocking dopamine transporters is crucial for producing a high. The study aims to find drugs that prevent cocaine from binding to transporters while allowing the transporter protein to function.
Researchers at Georgetown University Medical Center argue that medical journals should ban drug advertisements due to their potential influence on prescribing practices. The authors found that pharmaceutical ads in top medical journals reach a targeted audience and generate high returns for drug companies.
The NIH grant aims to reduce TB treatment time from 6-9 months to just a few weeks by identifying specific drug targets and developing new medicines. Researchers will use protein crystallography and grid virtual screening to accelerate the drug development process.