news archive October 2006

• Caveat mTOR: PML in the repression of the angiogenic switch
  The product of the tumor-suppressor gene promyelocytic leukemia (PML) has been found to be a crucial inhibitor of neo-angiogenesis, in both neoplastic and ischemic conditions.
  
• Laser Traps Shed Light On Infection Defenses
  A new technology that mimics the suspension of white blood cells in blood in the body is reported.
  
• Towards Better Anti-Epileptic Drugs
  A completely new way of suppressing epileptic seizures in rats is reported in a study.
  
• TAPping Into Mammalian Interaction Proteomics
  A new method enabling the efficient isolation of protein complexes from mammalian cells is described.
  
• Bittersweet News For Neural Stem Cell Grafts
  Using human embryonic stem - HES - cells directed to a neural fate to treat Parkinson's disease might be more complicated than previously thought.
  
• Protecting Mothers From Fetal Immune Recognition
  A protein expressed in developing embryos may protect mothers against immune-mediated attack by fetal cells.
  
• New Sex Determination Gene Identified
  Mutations in a gene called RSPO1 result in female to male sex reversal.
  
• Insulin-Producing Cells From Human Embryonic Stem Cells
  The culture conditions under which human embryonic stem cells can be converted into cells that produce all five hormones made by the pancreas, including insulin, are reported.
  
• Inducing Connections Between Brain Sites Alters Motor Function
  Artificially connecting the activity of two brain sites can alter the motor function of freely behaving monkeys.
  
• Protein For Optical Clarity
  The presence of a protein called soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) maintains optical clarity by keeping the cornea free of blood vessels.
  
• Cancer Stem Cells Resist Radiotherapy
  Researchers now think they know why Glioblastomas (malignant brain tumours) very often recur after radiation therapy.
  

• Gene Linked to Autism
  In families with more than one autistic child, the MET receptor tyrosine kinase gene on chromosome 7 may be responsible.
  
• Experimental Vaccine Protects Mice Against Deadly 1918 Flu Virus
  Influenza virus is vulnerable to intervention.
  
• Preschoolers with ADHD Improve with Low Doses of Medication
  Preschool ADHD Treatment Study shows that Ritalin in low doses is effective and safe.
  

• A Means to the Ends: Telomerase RNA Restores Telomere Length in Dyskeratosis Congenita
  Telomerase RNA levels are involved in telomere shortening in X-linked dyskeratosis congenita
  
• Antipsychotic Medications Same As Placebo For Alzheimer’s Patients
  First phase of a large-scale clinical trial demonstrates that while some Alzheimer's Patients can benefit from antipsychotic medications, most do not.
  
• Misfolded Protein Clumps Common in Lou Gehrig’s Disease
  Researchers discover misfolded protein TDP-43 as a constituent part of the clumps that form in dementia providing new insights into the pathogenesis of neurological disorders.
  
• A Gene Mutation May Control Sensitivity to Alcohol
  Fruit fly study identifies mutation in white rabbit gene that regulates sensitivity to alcohol.
  
• Ragweed Allergy Sufferers Can Benefit From Experimental Therapy
  An experimental ragweed allergen immunotherapy shortens the time required to treat symptoms.
  
• A Link Between Cyclic Nucleotide Metabolism And Depression
  Genetic variants of phosphodiesterase 11 are associated with the diagnosis of depression and with patient responsiveness to antidepressant therapy.
  

• Detecting Disease-Causing Mutations in the Human Genome by Haplotype Matching
  The authors describe a new strategy for detecting mutations that is based on comparing affected haplotypes with closely matched control sequences from healthy individuals, rather than with the human reference genome.
  
• PLA2G6 Mutation Underlies Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy
  The study findings highlight a role of phospholipase in neurodegenerative disorders.
  
• A Novel Mutation in FGFR3 Causes Camptodactyly, Tall Stature, and Hearing Loss (CATSHL) Syndrome
  Abnormal FGFR3 signaling can cause human anomalies by promoting as well as inhibiting endochondral bone growth.
  
• Systems Biology Tackles The Mechanisms Of Cancer
  Potential novel targets for anti-cancer therapy are revealed.
  
• Itching And Scratching
  Dust mites produce an allergen that disrupts the skin's ability to act as a barrier to other allergens and environmental irritants.
  
• Recommendations Help Identify Patients Suitable For NSAID Treatment
  Recommendations should help physicians to identify quickly whether or not a patient is suitable for treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  
• Focus On Childhood Developmental Disorders
  A special focus issue on childhood developmental disorders, including specific language impairment and dyslexia, autism, and the mental retardation syndrome fragile X, is presented.
  
• New Strategy For Controlling Inflammation
  A previously unknown method of terminating immune responses is reported.
  
• New Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene Identified
  Women with mutations in a gene called BRIP1 have twice the normal risk of breast cancer.
  
• One Step Toward More Efficient Cloning
  A one-step somatic cell nuclear transfer procedure using a differentiated cell as a nuclear donor is reported for the first time.
  
• Controlling The Insulin-Degrading Enzyme May Relieve Alzheimer's Disease
  The structure of an enzyme that degrades insulin and amyloid-beta suggests a possible way to design drugs that combat the abnormal levels of these proteins in sufferers of diabetes or Alzheimer's disease.
  
• Drug Target For Obesity?
  A molecule that makes mammals feel full up has been identified.
  

• Potential Cure for Type 1 Diabetes in Islet Transplantation
  Clinical Trial Shows Islet Transplantation is a Promising Procedure For Certain Patients with Severe Type 1 Diabetes
  
• H9N2 Avian Flu Vaccine Paired with Adjuvant Provokes Strong Human Immune Response
  Clinical trial reports that when combined with an adjuvant, low doses of an experimental vaccine against a strain of avian influenza (H9N2) provoked a strong antibody response in human volunteers.
  
• Another Gene Implicated in Cleft Lip and Palate
  Underexpression of SUMO1 can cause the world's most common birth defect, cleft lip and palate.
  
• Connectivity Map
  Using gene-expression signatures to connect small molecules, genes, and disease
  

• Jumping gene could provide non-viral alternative for gene therapy
  piggyBac is a flexible and highly active transposon as compared to Sleeping Beauty, Tol2, and Mos1 in mammalian cells
  

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