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Targeted drug delivery now possible with 'pHLIP' peptide

The pHLIP peptide accumulates in cell membranes at low pH and translocates molecules into cells without relying on traditional entry pathways. This technology has potential applications in imaging, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases associated with acidic environments.

SourceYale University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 11, 2006

Researchers develop new method for facile identification of proteins in bacterial cells

Researchers have created a new method to identify specific proteins in bacterial cells, simplifying the process and increasing signal-to-background ratio. The technique uses peptide mass fingerprinting with mass spectrometry, allowing for rapid identification of target proteins amidst hundreds of other cell components.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateMay 4, 2005

Love at first … smell

A study by Cardiff University found that males with attractive body odor produce peptides that increase their sexual attractiveness to females. The research suggests that smell plays a crucial role in choosing a partner, particularly for humans and fish, and may be linked to immune genes.

SourceCardiff University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2005

Busy brains may stave off Alzheimer's signs

Research found that enriched mice had lower levels of b-amyloid peptides, which form toxic brain tangles in Alzheimer's disease. The enrichment act as a protective factor, keeping peptide levels low before they can aggregate and cause problems.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateMar 10, 2005

Leptin and obesity

A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that leptin triggers production of áMSH, a powerful peptide signal that boosts metabolism. This discovery could lead to the development of obesity treatments that increase energy production and promote weight loss.

SourceBrown University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 26, 2004

ADAM: Good enzyme for Alzheimer disease

Researchers found that increased expression of ADAM10 reduced AB peptide formation and prevented plaque formation in an Alzheimer disease mouse model. This suggests that targeting alpha-secretase might be a useful therapeutic target for AD.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 17, 2004

Hopkins scientists overcome main obstacle to making tons of short, drug-like proteins

Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have overcome a major obstacle to creating large libraries of drug-like peptides. By modifying naturally occurring amino acids with a methyl group, they can produce up to 10 billion stabilized peptides in a single reaction. This breakthrough enables the rapid testing of potential medicines and has s...

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalChemistry & Biology·DateApr 22, 2004

JCI Table of Contents, May 1, 2003

Researchers have successfully used syngeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to prevent autoimmune diabetes in mice, providing a promising new approach for treating genetic disorders. This breakthrough is made possible by the discovery of natural gene therapy mechanisms that can reverse mutations causing rare inherited diseases...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 1, 2003

Scientists develop 'super peptide' that kills Candida albicans

Researchers at Zengen developed a 'super peptide' that kills Candida albicans with high candidacidal activity, outperforming existing antimicrobial peptides. The discovery may help understand the unique mechanism of action of a-MSH peptides and unlock new treatments for fungal infections.

SourceZengen·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry·DateFeb 20, 2003

JCI table of contents: October 1, 2002

Scientists study emesis in genetically engineered mice lacking specific PDE4 subtypes and infer that inhibition of PDE4D mediates nausea. The discovery could lead to the development of selective PDE4 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory effects, reducing side effects in humans.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 2, 2002

Peptide suppresses multiple sclerosis-like disease

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a peptide treatment that inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and suppresses the onset of multiple sclerosis-like symptoms. The treatment targets T cells by binding to CD80, preventing their activation and expansion in disease.

SourceOhio State University·JournalThe Journal of Immunology·DateAug 7, 2002