Add BrightSurf on Google Email

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 9, 2009

Research suggests mice without AT1A protein have a significantly prolonged lifespan. This is attributed to reduced cellular oxidation, contributing to aging. Additionally, studies investigate the role of MT1-MMP in regulating hematopoietic progenitor cells' release from bone marrow.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 9, 2009

Selenium may slow march of AIDS

Researchers at Penn State have discovered that increasing selenium levels in human blood cells can reduce the multiplication of the AIDS virus. By targeting a specific protein called Tat, selenium can slow down viral replication, with results showing a 10-fold decrease.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateNov 28, 2008

Candidate markers for gastric cancer

A study published in World Journal of Gastroenterology has identified twenty-three differentially expressed proteins between gastric cancer and normal tissues, serving as potential candidate markers. These biomarkers may aid in early diagnosis, treatment targets, and patient prognosis.

SourceWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·JournalWorld Journal of Gastroenterology·DateOct 29, 2008

Genes hold secret of survival of Antarctic 'antifreeze fish'

A genetic study of an Antarctic 'antifreeze fish' has revealed a small set of genes that dominate the transcriptional process, enabling it to survive in cold, oxygen-rich environments. The study found high expression of proteins responding to environmental stress, such as heat shock proteins and ubiquitins.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 16, 2008

Early-stage gene transcription creates access to DNA

Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in gene expression where non-coding RNAs create access to DNA, allowing transcriptional activation proteins to initiate gene expression. This process involves the transient synthesis of non-coding RNAs that unfurl tightly wound DNA, enabling gene expression.

SourceBoston College·JournalNature·DateOct 6, 2008

JCI table of contents: May 22, 2008

Researchers discovered that HIV protease inhibitors can prevent photoreceptor apoptosis in mouse models of retinal detachment, reducing the cause of vision loss. CD133 expression was found not to be restricted to stem cells, and both CD133+ and CD133– metastatic colon cancer cells can initiate tumors.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 22, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: May 15, 2008

Researchers suggest a novel approach to reducing VEGF-induced vision loss by targeting Src kinases, offering a potential alternative to painful eye injections. Leaky Ca2+ release channels in the brain and heart may also contribute to seizures and irregular heartbeats in individuals with certain inherited disorders.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMay 15, 2008

'Jumping gene' may contribute to a premature aging syndrome

Researchers have discovered a fusion protein that may contribute to Cockayne syndrome, a debilitating disorder marked by premature aging and neurodegeneration. The study suggests that the CSB gene's continued expression of CSB-related proteins or protein fragments plays a crucial role in the disease's development.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateMar 20, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: Feb. 7, 2008

VEGF-B has been shown to inhibit apoptosis in retinal cells and brain cells in mouse models of injury and stroke, suggesting its potential as a new treatment for neurodegenerative diseases. Autophagy is also identified as a virulence-associated trait and survival mechanism for the fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateFeb 7, 2008

JCI online early table of contents: Jan. 10 2008

Researchers found that Gas6 protein increases cell signaling in response to Epo treatment and treats both chronic and acute anemia in mice. Additionally, mice deficient in Gas6 have decreased sensitivity to Epo and reduced ability to recover from anemia.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 10, 2008

JCI table of contents: Nov. 21, 2007

Smoking before or during pregnancy may decrease fertility in female offspring, according to a new mouse study. The study found that exposure to environmental toxins like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can reduce the number of follicles in female mice, leading to reduced fertility.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 21, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 15, 2007

Researchers identified a mechanism that represses dendritic cell function in melanoma, which could be targeted for treatment. A new approach to treating myotonia in individuals with DM1 was also discovered using morpholino antisense oligonucleotide.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 15, 2007

JCI table of contents: Nov. 8, 2007

Research reveals that statins cause skeletal muscle damage through the activity of the gene atrogin-1. Inhibiting this gene's function could help protect against the side effect. Separate studies also link low levels of protein SHGB to metabolic syndrome and show how excess sugar contributes to its development.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 8, 2007

How to design a cancer-killing virus

Researchers developed a new virotherapeutic targeting cancer cells expressing E2F and EGFR proteins, showing antitumor effects in mice and rabbits. The virus demonstrated high selectivity for cancer cells in tumor-bearing rabbits and human tissue samples.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 25, 2007

JCI table of contents: Sept. 4, 2007

Researchers found that immunosuppressive drugs suppress beta-cell regeneration in diabetic mice, raising questions about the potential of successful regenerative islet transplantation. Meanwhile, a new study demonstrated that eIF4E-specific antisense oligonucleotides reduce tumor growth without causing damage to normal tissues.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 4, 2007

Can the tonsils influence oral HIV transmission?

Research suggests that tonsils may facilitate oral HIV transmission through their unique gene expression profiles, which include higher levels of immune function-related genes and lower levels of antiviral proteins. This makes the tonsil tissue more permeable to pathogens, increasing its vulnerability to infection.

SourceAmerican Journal of Pathology·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateJul 26, 2007

New use for a cell toxin found to inhibit survival proteins in cancer cells

Scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center discovered a modified version of antimycin that selectively kills cancer cells with high levels of survival proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL. The compound's unique mechanism provides a therapeutic window, making it a potential targeted molecular therapy to enhance cancer treatment effectiveness.

SourceFred Hutchinson Cancer Center·JournalMolecular Cancer Therapeutics·DateJul 11, 2007

Clocking in and out of gene expression

Researchers discovered that genes have internal clocks regulated by coactivators, controlling protein production and preventing cancerous growth. The coactivator's clock is set off through the addition of phosphate and ubiquitin molecules, with a fixed lifespan to prevent continuous activation.

Why cisplatin kills breast cancer cells when other drugs fail

Triple-negative breast cancer cells are sensitive to cisplatin due to increased expression of delta-Np63 and TAp73 proteins. Cisplatin releases TAp73 from delta-Np63, leading to cell death. This study suggests using cisplatin as an early treatment option for individuals with triple-negative breast cancer.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 19, 2007

JCI table of contents -- April 5, 2007

Researchers at Vanderbilt University found that treatment with TGF-beta inhibitors may help prevent cancer metastasis in patients. Additionally, a study from the University of Michigan discovered that a negative feedback pathway involving leptin receptor signaling may contribute to leptin resistance in obese individuals.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateApr 5, 2007

JCI table of contents -- March 8, 2006

A therapeutic peptide, 37AA, has been developed to target the protein p73, which can induce tumor cell death. The study found that the peptide killed both p53-sufficient and p53-deficient human tumor cell lines. Additionally, a tissue-resident population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) was discovered in transplanted human lungs, with ...

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 8, 2007

CDX2 -- A protein that promotes leukemia

Most individuals with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) express CDX2, a protein regulating HOX family genes. Reducing CDX2 levels decreases AML cell proliferation, supporting its causal role in leukemogenesis.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 7, 2007

JCI table of contents -- March 1, 2007

Researchers identified a protein called MARCO that helps immune cells in the lungs clear oxidants, protecting against lung damage. HDL proteins were also found to have anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting new potential treatments for diseases like asthma and COPD.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateMar 1, 2007

New antibody for EGFR causes lung cancer regression

Researchers have discovered a new antibody that effectively regresses lung tumors in mice with two types of lung cancer driven by mutant forms of the EGFR protein. The study highlights the potential therapeutic benefits of this antibody, ch806, for treating patients with specific lung cancer mutations.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJan 25, 2007

Calcineurin helps newborns breathe easy

In a study published in JCI Journals, researchers found that calcineurin is essential for complete lung development in mice. Mice lacking calcineurin function died shortly after birth due to lung failure.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 21, 2006

JCI table of contents: July 3, 2006

Researchers found that Terry's brain underwent axonal re-growth, allowing for basic motor function and speech recovery. The study suggests a method to monitor brain function and track potential recovery in severely brain-damaged patients.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 3, 2006

New study reveals signaling pathways required for expansion of pancreas stem cells

A new study discovered that BMP4 signaling is necessary and sufficient for the proliferation of pancreas progenitor cells, leading to an increase in Id expression. The researchers also found that inhibition of BMP4 results in a decrease in proliferating duct cells and an increase in the expression of a bHLH protein-dependent factor PAX6.

SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 16, 2006

Anemone genes reveal versatile building blocks for body plans

Researchers isolated genes from the starlet sea anemone to understand body-plan patterning. They found that two types of proteins encoded by these genes are expressed differently in anemones compared to bilateral animals like flies and frogs, suggesting an ancient function for this signaling system.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

Genetics of muscular dystophy

Researchers identified altered expression of proteins involved in muscle differentiation, leading to reduced myoblast differentiation potential. Forced expression of MyoD or desmin restored this defect, providing new mechanistic insight into LMNA mutations contributing to muscular dystrophy.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateFeb 14, 2006