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Identifying targets of autoantibodies

Researchers at Stanford University developed a microarray to identify cytokines, chemokines, and other proteins targeted by SLE patients' autoantibodies. They found that patients with high levels of autoantibodies against B cell activating factor (BAFF) experienced more severe symptoms.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateNov 25, 2013

BT-R3 mediates killing of the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae by Bacillus thuringiensis

Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered that Bacillus thuringiensis toxin selectively kills malaria-carrying mosquitoes by binding to the BT-R3 receptor. This finding opens up new avenues for designing customized proteins and peptides to combat mosquito-borne diseases, including malaria.

SourceSociety for Experimental Biology and Medicine·JournalExperimental Biology and Medicine·DateAug 23, 2013

NTU scientists hit the target

Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) have developed a new technique called Cellular Thermal Shift Assay (CETSA) that can accurately determine if a drug has reached its target protein in the human body. This breakthrough method will help reduce the costly and time-consuming trial-and-error process of drug development.

The metabolic weathervane of cancer

Researchers found that TRAP1 disrupts cancer cell metabolism, but inhibiting it could stimulate tumor progression. The protein regulates a metabolic 'switch' at the level of glucose digestion, which affects tumor stage and aggressiveness.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 1, 2013

Molecular code cracked

Researchers cracked the molecular code for pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) proteins, which recognize and bind specific RNA molecules. This discovery enables the potential for new treatments of genetic diseases and precise control over gene expression.

SourceUniversity of Western Australia·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateAug 18, 2012

New technique enables study of 'challenging' proteins

Researchers have developed a new technique that can identify protein structures in just hours, revolutionizing the pharmaceutical industry. The enhanced NMR spectroscopy method using dynamic nuclear polarisation (DNP) enables significant structural data to be gained from small biological samples.

SourceUniversity of Hull·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 14, 2011

Potential new treatment for stroke

Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine have identified EP4 as a potential new treatment target for stroke. A selective EP4 agonist administered after stroke reduced brain damage and long-term behavioral deficits in mice, suggesting its therapeutic potential.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 3, 2011

Starting a new metabolic path

Researchers at JBEI have developed a technique called targeted proteomics that enables the rapid identification and quantification of specific proteins in cells or microbes. This technique can help identify bottlenecks in metabolic pathways, leading to improved efficiency and productivity in biofuel and therapeutic drug production.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateApr 20, 2011

Protein targeted to stop melanoma tumor growth

Researchers have discovered MIC-1 as a regulator of angiogenesis, finding that it is present in high levels in 67% of melanoma patients. Targeting this protein can prevent blood vessel formation and decrease tumor development by up to 300%. This could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating melanoma.

SourcePenn State·JournalAmerican Journal Of Pathology·DateDec 9, 2010

Designing more effective anti-HIV antibodies

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital discovered that some HIV antibodies target the protein in its final form, making them ineffective. The team proposes designing immunogens to trap the protein in an intermediate state, preventing further structural rearrangements and blocking membrane fusion.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 19, 2010

'Hi-JAK-ing' cancer by inhibiting Jak2

Researchers describe an indirect approach to reducing JAK2 activity by pharmacologically targeting HSP90. Inhibiting HSP90 normalized blood counts and improved survival in two mouse models of MPN, promoting JAK2 degradation in samples from patients with the disease.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 13, 2010

'TIMely' intervention for asthma

Researchers at Biogen Idec Inc. have found that targeting the TIM-1 protein may be effective in treating asthma. The study used a humanized mouse model to show that an antibody binding to a specific region of TIM-1 reduced inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJul 12, 2010