Researchers have identified a molecule that is involved in mediating allergic reactions, as detailed in the 21 October 2004 issue of Nature (Vol. 431, No. 7011, see pp. 1007-1011).
Phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K) represent a family of intracellular signalling proteins, which control a variety of important cellular functions such as proliferation, apoptosis and migration. Bart Vanhaesebroeck and his team have studied the delta form of the molecule phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI(3)K) which is released inside mast cells when they encounter allergens. When PI(3)K delta is inactivated, either in mice genetically engineered to lack this protein, or using a chemical to block it from working, the team showed that mast cells released less inflammatory molecules and the mice reacted less to allergens. This paper identifies PI(3)K delta as a key component of an allergic response. CONTACT Bart Vanhaesebroeck (Ludwig Institute for Cancer, London, UK) Tel. +44 20 7878 4066, E-mail: bartvanh@ludwig.ucl.ac.uk Co-author Khaled Ali (Ludwig Institute for Cancer, London, UK) Tel+ 44 20 7878 4102 (C) Nature press release.
Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza
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