Researchers have discovered an enzyme therapy that improves bone growth, mineralization, and strength in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type-1. The treatment, asfotase-alpha, reduces fractures by clearing accumulated pyrophosphate, a strong inhibitor of bone mineralization.
Researchers discovered a new water-soluble fluorescent detection system that is extremely sensitive to pyrophosphate, which plays a key role in energy transduction and DNA replication in cancer cells. The discovery may lead to improved cancer diagnostics.
CNIC researchers have identified a possible treatment to block the deposition of calcium in arterial walls, a key symptom of premature aging disease. Chronic treatment with pyrophosphate inhibits calcium deposition, which is accelerated in mice with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome.