Research on the molecular targets that drugs act on. Covers new antibiotic mechanisms, drug discovery competitions, bile-acid pathways, and Alzheimer's targets.
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.
A new compound, bis(phosphocholine)-hexane, has been designed to inhibit the effects of C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein that contributes significantly to heart attack damage. By blocking CRP's tissue-damaging effects, this potential drug may reduce mortality and scar size in patients who have experienced a heart attack.
Researchers found that blocking microsomal prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES)-1 in mice reduces cardiovascular risk, while retaining the benefit of Vioxx and Celebrex. The study suggests a promising alternative for patients with arthritis, conserving clinical benefits while managing cardiovascular risks.
A recent study found that only 57% of older patients with osteoarthritis received adequate care, while medication safety was a major concern. The study's results highlight the importance of targeting safe medication use in this population to improve overall quality of care.
Researchers have discovered that high carbon levels can inhibit the virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a dangerous human pathogen. This finding suggests that increasing local carbon availability could be an effective way to prevent infection.
Dr. Teitelbaum's research reveals that blocking integrin receptors on osteoclasts can prevent bone loss in osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis, offering new drug targets. Additionally, his work has shed light on the effects of protease inhibitors on osteoclasts in HIV/AIDS patients.
The guidelines aim to help physicians decide when to stop taking medications in older adults. They consider factors such as life expectancy, the time until benefits are realized, goals of care, and treatment targets.
Researchers at Emory University have identified a unique binding method between ubiquitin and Isopeptidase T (IsoT), a key enzyme in degrading ubiquitin chains. This breakthrough could lead to the development of targeted therapies for diseases associated with aberrant protein degradation.
A study by Yale researchers found that a specific transporter gene, SLC26A6, helps prevent calcium oxalate kidney stones. The gene's normal functioning reduces dietary oxalate absorption and increases excretion, thus reducing the risk of kidney stone formation.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed an algorithm that creates accurate three-dimensional models of over 900 GPCRs, a class of proteins targeted by many drugs. These models could help scientists discover new drug compounds more efficiently, and are now freely available to noncommercial users.
Researchers have discovered a functional interaction between the genes MECP2 and BDNF, which could lead to new therapeutic opportunities for Rett syndrome patients. By modulating BDNF expression, it may be possible to delay or reverse disease progression.
A study published in Psychopharmacology found that genetics and environmental factors contribute to the relapse of drug-seeking behavior. The research used rat models to identify glutamate as a neurotransmitter involved in stirring cravings and uncontrollable urges. Dr. Paul J. Kruzich suggests that genetic variations may increase susc...
DrugBank is the world's largest database on drugs and drug targets, providing detailed information on over 3000 drug targets and 4100 approved or experimental drugs. The database supports advanced searches and queries for biologists and chemists, enabling them to discover new drug leads.
Riboswitches are RNA elements that control gene expression in essential metabolic pathways. Researchers at Yale University have identified pyrithiamine as a toxic compound that disrupts these pathways, leading to the development of new antibiotics.
The IUPHAR database provides comprehensive information on GPCRs, including drugs that act on them, target locations in the body, and diseases they may be involved in. This knowledge is freely available to all scientists and drug discoverers worldwide, offering a powerful tool for future research.
A Brandeis University study advances understanding of protein dynamics, proposing that enzymes are more mobile than previously thought. The research linked low-energy and high-energy states to enzyme function, shedding light on improving rational drug design through docking to dynamic targets.
A new report by Express Scripts, Inc. found that U.S. consumers could have saved $20 billion in 2004 by using more generic drugs, with the most dramatic savings potential existing for generic gastrointestinals and anti-cholesterol medications.
Researchers have defined the structure of marine toxins and found they interact with actin, a key protein responsible for cellular growth. The toxins can disrupt actin's activity, leading to cancer cell death, offering new hope for targeted cancer treatments.
A study by John Scott found that the mAKAP signaling system is perturbed in cases of heart disease, leading to cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Researchers have identified a potential therapeutic target for treating this condition by suppressing the enzyme phosphodiesterase with drugs such as growth hormone.
A recent study reveals that managed care drug cost-control strategies are failing due to flawed contracts and inadequate information sharing between HMOs and doctors. The survey found widespread dissatisfaction with the current approach, which relies on financial incentives to control prescribing practices. The researchers propose thre...
Researchers at Rutgers University have identified the protein snapin as having therapy potential for autism by modulating dendrite patterning. Snapin's interaction with cypin regulates branching, and targeting this pathway could lead to new drugs.
A new drug, CX717, has been shown to reverse the negative effects of sleep deprivation on brain activity and performance in monkeys. The drug targets AMPA receptors involved in cell-to-cell communication, restoring normal brain patterns and improving cognitive function.
Researchers at NIA discover new gene FANCM linked to Fanconi anemia and increased cancer risk. The gene plays crucial role in DNA repair machinery, offering potential targets for treatment.
Researchers found that gefitinib was more effective at inhibiting cell growth and increasing apoptosis in NSCLC cells with mutant EGFR. In contrast, cetuximab showed no significant response in patients with EGFR mutations.
Retinoid X receptor heterodimers are potential therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome, according to a review article by UT Southwestern's Dr. David Mangelsdorf and Dr. Andrew Shulman. Activating specific RXR complexes may help regulate lipid metabolism and reduce the risk of heart disease and other related illnesses.
Scientists have sequenced the genomes of three parasites responsible for sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis, providing critical information for drug and vaccine development. The research identified core genes that could serve as targets for effective drugs against all three parasites.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a DNA polymorphism that interferes with the binding of antiarrhythmic drugs to a specific ion channel in the heart. This structural change allows for variable drug access to its target site, leading to increased drug resistance in some individuals.
The sequencing of three deadly parasite genomes has revealed a core of 6,200 genes in common among the parasites, providing new targets for drug development. This discovery also highlights the potential for designing targeted vaccines and improved diagnostics for each parasite.
Researchers explore bacterial cooperation as a therapeutic target to combat antibiotic-resistant infections. By understanding how bacteria collaborate, scientists hope to develop novel treatments that can effectively target these complex interactions.
The WEHI team will conduct research on parasite behavior, drug targets, and vaccine development to combat malaria and leishmaniasis. The ultimate goal is to prevent infection or reduce illness severity with effective treatments.
Gene amplification is a common process in cancer cells that can lead to increased production of genes like MITF, which regulates tissue development and tumor progression. Researchers found an over-expression of MITF in melanoma tissue microarrays using the AQUA technology, correlating with decreased patient survival.
A recent study conducted by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reveals high rates of sexually transmitted infections among young drug users. The study found that nearly 73% of participants were injection drug users and that women were more likely to have syphilis than men.
A new mechanism controlling cholesterol and lipid metabolism has been discovered, with the Fbw7 protein identified as a potential target for treating high cholesterol. The findings also suggest a connection between this protein and cancer, with aspects of its link to diabetes currently under investigation.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have developed a new treatment for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme, a form of adult brain cancer with dismal prognosis. The 'smart' drug CCI-779 showed significant response in 36 percent of patients, suggesting potential improvement in treatment outcomes.
Researchers have discovered that the enzyme hDOT1L activates a key set of genes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), leading to unrestrained growth and a hallmark of the disease. The study suggests that targeting hDOT1L could be a promising approach for treating AML, particularly in cases where patients carry specific genetic mutations.
Researchers have reported encouraging results with the novel drug AMN107, which is showing an increasingly strong benefit as doses are raised. Over 90% of patients with earlier stage Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) have achieved a hematologic response, and over 70% of those in advanced stages have also benefited.