MEDICAL COLLEGE OF GEORGIA AT AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY AUGUSTA, Ga. (March 13, 2019) – Our bodies are continuously concocting specific antibodies to thwart invaders like a virus or even pollen, and scientists have new information about how the essential production gets fired up and keeps up. It’s a key protective mechanism that the scientists want to...
Category: <span>Proteomics</span>
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Antibody-drug conjugate shows efficacy against cell surface protein in Neuroblastoma
Physician-scientists in the Cancer Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have developed a preclinical, potent therapy attached to an antibody that targets a surface protein expressed in most childhood neuroblastomas, effectively killing cancer cells. The researchers published their findings today in Science Translational Medicine. “If there is an ultimate ‘bad guy’ of neuroblastomacell surface...
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How fasting and exercise can supercharge the body’s cellular vacuum cleaner
One of the many useful things our bodies do on their own is rid themselves of proteins that are no longer of use. Whether the proteins are defective, toxic or simply surplus to requirements, our cellular machinery can act swiftly and decisively when shedding this dead weight. But by figuring out new ways to control...
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Cytomegalovirus infection broadens spectrum of environmental allergens
This image shows airway co-exposure to cytomegalovirus and environmental antigen sensitizes for allergic airway disease Credit: Lemmermann NAW and Reddehase MJ Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection can convert a harmless, inhaled protein antigen into an allergen, according to a study published March 7 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogensby Rafaela Holtappels from the University Medical Center of the...
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Towards a blood test for early-stage liver disease
Scientists looked for early detection method for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) Plasma proteins of NAFLD patients were analyzed by mass spectrometry Six proteins were detected in the blood associated with the early stages of NAFLD Protein PIGR identified as candidate biomarker for liver damage tests One in four people in Western and Asian societies...
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Inhibiting Cancer-Causing Protein Could Prevent Scleroderma Fibrosis
A protein known to play a role in cancer may also be increasing fibrosis in scleroderma patients. Scleroderma, a rare, chronic autoimmune disease, is marked by hardening of the skin and internal organs. Symptoms often include pain, stiffness, fatigue and breathing difficulties. “The disease creates excessive fibroblast activation that ultimately results in tissue damage and...
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New theory unlocks the secret behind protein-membrane interactions
Trillions of cells — all different shapes and sizes — form a human body’s structure. Surrounding each cell is a membrane, jointly acting as hostess and security — welcoming certain information into the cell while making sure its components don’t spill out into the body’s void. Much is known about how the individual pieces of...
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Opposite effect: Protein widely known to fight tumors also boosts cancer growth
Search for a description of “p53” and it becomes clear that this human protein is widely known for its cancer-fighting benefits, leading to its renown as “the guardian of the genome.” IMAGE: UC SAN DIEGO RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT THE PUMA PROTEIN WORKS INSIDE THE CELL’S MITOCHONDRIA TO SWITCH ENERGY PRODUCTION PROCESSES AND STIMULATE CANCER GROWTH.view...
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Study identifies two proteins that suppress tumor growth in fruit flies, suggests similar effect on human cancers
The concept sounds simple, but understanding the process has been elusive: Cut off the nutrient supply to suppress the growth of tumors. The protein “Headcase,” or Hdc, functions together with the protein “Unkempt,” or Unk, to regulate tissue growth in fruit flies. Credit: Kansas State University Now researchers in the College of Veterinary Medicine at...
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Protein found more in advanced prostate cancer could be key to preventing drug resistance
A cancer-driving protein is found in the tumours of men with advanced prostate cancer after treatment with hormone drugs, but rarely found in early-stage disease, a new study shows. Image: Prostate cancer carousel (Credit: Mateus Crespo/Prof Johann de Bono, the ICR) The findings of the major study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, confirm...