Protein News and Research

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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

MGH investigators identify new disease that causes widespread chronic pain in children

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators have described what may be a newly identified disease that appears to explain some cases of widespread chronic pain and other symptoms in children and young adults.

13 Mar 2013

Studies show protein semaphorin 3A helps detect acute kidney injury

A guidance cue that helps kidneys form may also be a red flag that they are in danger, researchers report.

13 Mar 2013

Eplerenone may also reduce risk of heart failure, shows REMINDER trial

The prescription drug eplerenone appears to reduce the risk of cardiovascular mortality and heart failure after a heart attack by more than one-third, according to research presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

13 Mar 2013

Smad7 protein protects against or heals mouth sores associated with cancer treatment

Mouse model studies show that administered genetically or topically, protein Smad7 protects against or heals mouth sores commonly associated with cancer treatment.

13 Mar 2013

ADP-ribose plays key role in repairing cellular DNA damage

Attaching chains of the small molecule ADP-ribose to proteins is important for a cell's survival and the repair of DNA damage, making this process a promising target for the development of new cancer drugs.

13 Mar 2013

Bitter melon juice restricts ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose

A University of Colorado Cancer study published this week in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that bitter melon juice restricts the ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose, thus cutting the cells' energy source and eventually killing them.

13 Mar 2013

Mini-chromosome maintenance protein can change DNA topology: Study

A team of USC scientists has identified a protein that can change DNA topology, making DNA twist up into a so-called "supercoil."

12 Mar 2013

Targeting Mer receptors sensitize AML and ALL to chemotherapies

Two University of Colorado Cancer Center studies show that the protein receptor Mer is overexpressed in many leukemias, and that inhibition of this Mer receptor results in the death of leukemia cells - without affecting surrounding, healthy cells.

12 Mar 2013

Cangrelor solidly outperforms clopidogrel during percutaneous coronary intervention

The experimental anti-clotting drug cangrelor solidly outperformed commonly used clopidogrel in a large global trial of patients who underwent coronary stent procedures, according to data from the phase III CHAMPION PHOENIX study presented today at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

12 Mar 2013

Cangrelor more effective than clopidogrel in preventing blood clots

A new and experimental anti-clotting drug, cangrelor, proved better than the commonly used clopidogrel and was significantly more effective at preventing blood clots in a large trial of patients who underwent coronary stent procedures.

12 Mar 2013

Anti-cancer drug conjugates: an interview with Dr Andreas Menrad, CSO Ablynx and Dr Chris Martin, CEO Spirogen

Antibodies and in the case of Ablynx, Nanobodies, can be raised and selected to bind with high affinity selectively to cancer cells in a tumour. Cancer cells are exquisitely sensitive to certain toxins such as the PBDs produced by Spirogen.

12 Mar 2013

Pneumococcal vaccine pre-clinical development supported by £0.2 million award from Biomedical Catalyst

ImmBio (Immunobiology Ltd), a biopharmaceutical company developing innovative vaccines against serious infectious diseases, today announced that the UK government-backed Biomedical Catalyst has awarded the company approximately £0.2 million ($0.3 million) to support pre-clinical development of its pneumococcal vaccine, PnuBioVax™, which targets a wide range of strains of the bacteria.

12 Mar 2013

Mir-125a-5p plays an essential role in ensuring that embryonic tissue segments form properly

New research shows that a tiny piece of RNA has an essential role in ensuring that embryonic tissue segments form properly.

12 Mar 2013

Buphenyl may protect memory and prevent progression of Alzheimer's

Buphenyl, an FDA-approved medication for hyperammonemia, may protect memory and prevent the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

12 Mar 2013

Scientists reveal genetic activity that led to development of wings in fruit flies

Scientists have delved deeper into the evolutionary history of the fruit fly than ever before to reveal the genetic activity that led to the development of wings - a key to the insect's ability to survive.

12 Mar 2013

Researchers discover new mechanism that allows collective cell migration

Researchers at the University of Montreal's Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer (IRIC) have discovered a new mechanism that allows some cells in our body to move together, in some ways like the tortoise formation used by Roman soldiers depicted in the Asterix series.

12 Mar 2013

Combining weight loss therapy and CPAP can help reduce blood pressure in OSA patients

Obesity and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) tend to co-exist and are associated with high blood pressure. The effects of weight loss and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the standard therapy for OSA, on blood pressure have been previously studied individually, but the incremental benefit of combination therapy (weight loss and CPAP therapy) over either therapy alone in obese patients with OSA has been unknown.

12 Mar 2013

Researchers uncover clear genetic link between fat and bone mass

When it comes to body shape, diet and exercise can only take us so far. Our body shape and geometry are largely determined by genetic factors. Genetics also have an impact on our body composition - including soft fat tissue and hard bone tissue - and can lead to excess fat or osteoporosis.

12 Mar 2013

IL-22 plays critical role in normal lung repair following influenza infection

Once the initial episode of influenza has passed, the chronic effects tend to be overlooked. The results of a new study indicate that the cytokine interleukin-22 (IL-22) plays a critical role in normal lung repair following influenza infection. This study is published in the April 2013 issue of the American Journal of Pathology.

11 Mar 2013

MiR-198 controls migration of skin cells necessary for wounds to close and heal

Patients with diseases such as diabetes suffer from painful wounds that take a long time to heal making them more susceptible to infections that could even lead to amputations. A*STAR's discovery paves the way for therapeutics to improve healing of such chronic wounds, which are a significant burden to patients.

11 Mar 2013

Protein News and Research

Further Reading

MGH investigators identify new disease that causes widespread chronic pain in children

Studies show protein semaphorin 3A helps detect acute kidney injury

Eplerenone may also reduce risk of heart failure, shows REMINDER trial

Smad7 protein protects against or heals mouth sores associated with cancer treatment

ADP-ribose plays key role in repairing cellular DNA damage

Bitter melon juice restricts ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose

Mini-chromosome maintenance protein can change DNA topology: Study

Targeting Mer receptors sensitize AML and ALL to chemotherapies

Cangrelor solidly outperforms clopidogrel during percutaneous coronary intervention

Cangrelor more effective than clopidogrel in preventing blood clots

Anti-cancer drug conjugates: an interview with Dr Andreas Menrad, CSO Ablynx and Dr Chris Martin, CEO Spirogen

Pneumococcal vaccine pre-clinical development supported by £0.2 million award from Biomedical Catalyst

Mir-125a-5p plays an essential role in ensuring that embryonic tissue segments form properly

Buphenyl may protect memory and prevent progression of Alzheimer's

Scientists reveal genetic activity that led to development of wings in fruit flies

Researchers discover new mechanism that allows collective cell migration

Combining weight loss therapy and CPAP can help reduce blood pressure in OSA patients

Researchers uncover clear genetic link between fat and bone mass

IL-22 plays critical role in normal lung repair following influenza infection

MiR-198 controls migration of skin cells necessary for wounds to close and heal

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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