news archive genetic news - April 19, 2007

April 19, 2007

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Lentiviral Vector Neutral Endopeptidase Gene Transfer Suppresses Prostate Cancer Tumor Growth (Abstract) Study demonstrates that lentiviral NEP gene transfer is a novel targeted strategy for the treatment of NEP-deficient PC.
-	X-Chromosome Linked Inhibitor Of Apoptosis Protein Inhibits Muscle Proteolysis In Insulin-Deficient Mice (Abstract) The ability of XIAP to prevent the loss of muscle protein suggests that XIAP could be a therapeutic reagent for muscle atrophy in catabolic diseases X.
-	Stable Gene Expression Occurs From A Minority Of Integrated HIV-1-Based Vectors: Transcriptional Silencing Is Present In The Majority (Abstract) Dae suggest that there are two forms of vector silencing: one occurring immediately after integration, and one occurring in the much longer term.
-	Increasing Bad Cholesterol Levels Study suggests how the gene PCSK9 maintains cholesterol balance in the body.
-	Astrocytes Kill Neurons In ALS Two papers report that astrocytes carrying a mutated version of a protein that causes ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, are responsible for the death of motor neurons.
-	Stabilization Contra Retardation Paper explores the mechanisms underlying fragile X syndrome -- the most common inherited form of mental retardation.
-	How One's Own DNA Can Cause Autoimmunity Study may shed light on the cause of immune activation associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) -- the second most common autoimmune disease in humans.
-	Mutation Leads To Male Infertility Paper reports that a mutation in a gene called AURKC (Aurora Kinase C) has been identified in 14 infertile men of North African descent.
-	Genetic Susceptibility To Crohn Disease A genome-wide assessment of genetic variation in individuals with Crohn disease has identified seven genes or regions that are associated with elevated risk of the disease.
-	Amplification Of Estrogen Receptor Gene In Breast Cancer Study suggests that nearly two-thirds of breast tumors have extra copies of the gene encoding one form of the estrogen receptor ESR1.
-	Genes Linked To Chemotherapy Response Scientists have identified a number of genes in lung cancer cells which, when downregulated, make the cancer cells especially vulnerable to a type of chemotherapy.
-	Genes Set Scene For Metastasis Biologists have identified a set of genes expressed in human breast cancer cells that work together to remodel the vasculature at the site of the primary tumour and that also promote the spread of cancer to the lungs.