news archive genetic news - July 12, 2007

July 12, 2007

your information resource in human molecular genetics

-	Eyes May Foreshadow Cardiovascular Disease Structural changes in the eye's blood vessels are associated with a higher body mass index (BMI) and could signal the onset of other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes or hypertension.
-	Complete Knockdown Of Gene Inhibits HIV Infection The complete suppression of the gene CCR5 in white blood cells leads to a stronger protection against HIV.
-	Therapeutic RNA Interference In Neurodegenerative Disease Scientists consider how RNA interference (RNAi) technology might be exploited to treat neurodegenerative diseases that are currently incurable, such as Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and spinocerebellar ataxia.
-	Growth Factor Reinforces Cocaine Addiction Release of a growth factor in the nucleus accumbens - a brain area mediating reward - is necessary for the development and relapse of cocaine addiction.
-	The Amygdala And Persistent Behaviour In Addiction Neurons in part of the brain known as the basolateral amygdala mediate persistent behaviour induced by cocaine exposure.
-	Male Pheromone Stimulates Neurogenesis In The Female Brain Pheromone signals from dominant males stimulate the production of new neurons in the olfactory bulb and hippocampus of the brain in female mice.
-	Spermicide Might Favour HPV Infection A molecule widely used in vaginal spermicides could increase genital transmission of the human papilomavirus (HPV).
-	The Stress Of Gaining Weight A hormone involved in the neural control of feeding might also be linked to stress-induced obesity.
-	Arresting Autoimmunity Study reveals how T lymphocytes survive to induce several types of autoimmune disease, including multiple sclerosis.
-	Common Genetic Risk Variant For Colorectal Cancer A common variant on chromosome 8 that predisposes to prostate cancer also confers risk of colorectal cancer.
-	Genetic Link Between Prostate Cancer And Type 2 Diabetes Two variants on chromosome 17 confer risk of prostate cancer, one of which also protects against type 2 diabetes.
-	Hsp90 Inhibitors Allow Small Cell Lung Cancer To Die Scientists describe the role played by a protective protein called Hsp90 in maintaining the malignant state of small cell lung cancer cells.
-	Protein Function From First Principles Scientists have identified the function of a previously uncharacterized enzyme using a novel approach.
-	RNAi Resource A resource that could change the very nature of genetic research on fruitflies is published.
-	Newly Discovered Protein May Help Treat Parkinson's? A new neuron-nourishing protein that may prove useful for treating Parkinson's disease is revealed.
-	New Cancer Mutation Found A newly identified genetic mutation found in several types of cancer makes cultured cells cancerous and induces leukaemia in mice.
-	Variation Associated With Childhood Asthma Variations in expression of a gene called ORMDL3 are associated with the development of childhood asthma.
-	Chromatin Modification Maps And Cell State Paper describes the generation of genome-wide maps of chromatin modification in mammalian cells.
-	Mutations Increase Risk Of Common Heart Problem Two mutations have been implicated in the most common heart rhythm abnormality.
-	New Type Of Stem Cell Derived A new type of rodent embryonic stem (ES) cell has been derived that is more similar to human ES cells than current mouse alternatives.