Bio Saga Blog - A Chronicle of Life Sciences & Informatics

The glycoproteins (GP) of enveloped viruses facilitate entry into the host cell by interacting with specific cellular receptors. Despite extensive study, a cellular receptor for the deadly filoviruses Ebolavirus and Marburgvirus has yet to be identified and characterized. Here, we show that T-cell Ig and mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) binds to the receptor binding domain of the Zaire Ebola virus (EBOV) glycoprotein, and ectopic TIM-1 expression in poorly permissive cells enhances EBOV infection by 10- to 30-fold. Conversely, reduction of cell-surface expression of TIM-1 by RNAi decreased infection of highly permissive Vero cells. TIM-1 expression within the human body is broader than previously appreciated, with expression on mucosal epithelia from the trachea, cornea, and conjunctiva—tissues believed to be important during in vivo transmission of filoviruses. Recognition t...

Tissue or organ repair has been the ultimate goal of surgery from ancient times to the present day. Clearly, there is a lot of interest in the regeneration of tissues, and tissue repair in organisms is within reach. However, we are a long way from understanding how to coax the human body into regenerating complex body parts after injury or disease. As an example, regeneration of amputated limbs in amphibians - “epimorphic” regeneration which includes cellular dedifferentiation in the injured tissues of the limb stump and proliferation of these cells to form a distal blastema which undergoes patterning and growth to restore the missing limb structures. Some of the processes that are relatively little known and most of scientists are keen in understanding are: Processes involving cell recruitment of progenitor cells to the site of disease or injury and tissue-specific differentiation Growth factors and cytokines responsible for activating the body's own native cells to initiate regen...

Scientists have unravelled the structure of a cell signalling receptor in the blood control system which when damaged is responsible for diseases such as leukaemia. Their discovery helps to explain, for the first time, how this receptor is activated and will form the springboard for the development of new treatments. The findings, published on 8 August in the prestigious science journal, Cell , are the result of an interstate collaboration between a team of scientists led by Professor Michael Parker, St Vincent’s Institute (SVI), Melbourne and Professor Angel Lopez, Hanson Institute at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science, Adelaide. Using leading edge technology that allows scientists to view minute parts of cells, the scientists have developed the first 3D image of the receptor’s structure and will use the unique knowledge it provides to find drugs to modify its action and control diseases such as Leukaemia and asthma. Professor Lopez said: “Leukaemia is a...

New preclinical research shows that cannabinoid cell surface receptor CB1 plays a tumor-suppressing role in human colorectal cancer, scientists report in the Aug. 1 edition of the journal Cancer Research. Endocannabinoid signaling is important to the normal functioning of the digestive system and has been shown to protect the colon against inflammation. Since chronic inflammation is a known risk factor for colorectal cancer, the researchers decided to look into the role of cannabinoid receptors in a mouse model of colon cancer. Cannabinoids previously had been shown to kill cancer cells in lab experiments by inducing apoptosis - programmed cell death. The team confirmed the role of CB1 in apoptosis, showing that tumor cells with high CB1 expression were sensitive to apoptosis when treated by a cannabinoid agonist. Cell lines with silenced CB1 resisted cell death. A series of experiments showed that CB1 increases cancer cell death by stifling a protein called survivin. Survivin is ov...

Here is a abstract that i had submitted at the 3D sig:Structral Bioinformatics at the 1st Structural Bioinformatics Meeting at ISMB 29-30 July 2004, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. I do not know how relevant is the issue to this day. I am interested in working further in this area and i am interested in collaborating. Do let me know your comments also pour your suggestions on how to further this study. In silico methods can be used to design protein, based on stability and functionality using computational methods rather than laboratory procedures (Comet et al., 2000). The changes taking place due to the transfer of motif region from human Catechol-O-methyltansferase to rat Catechol-O-methyltransferase can be studied effectively using computational methods. This will provide insight for further development of the study about the function of neurotransmitter region of catechol-O-methyltransferase and its involvement in the Parkinson’s disease. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) catalyzes the t...

Boehringer Ingelheim will acquire Actimis Pharmaceuticals through a structured buyout in which Boehringer Ingelheim will acquire shares of Actimis depending on the achievement of several successive milestones with Actimis’ leading asthma compound AP768. If AP768, currently in Phase I development, is successfully advanced into a Phase III, Boehringer Ingelheim will own 100% of Actimis’ shares. Upon successful completion of the entire development program, the total deal will be worth $515 million. AP768 interacts with CRTH21, a target for asthma and allergic rhinitis. Previous to the currently ongoing Phase I trial, the compound was shown to have a more effective mechanism of action across multiple available animal models compared to currently marketed leukotriene receptor antagonists , according to the companies.

Battelle Ventures has spun out a firm from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), with an initial $1.5 million seed investment. The company, called NellOne Therapeutics, will develop regenerative medicines. The funding will be tranched based on key technical milestones. Towards a "holy grail" in human medicine: the ability to restore organs damaged through trauma, disease, cancer, or even the normal aging process. Tissue or organ repair has been the ultimate goal of surgery from ancient times to the present day. Clearly, there is a lot of interest in the regeneration of tissues, and tissue repair in organisms is within reach. However, we are a long way from understanding how to coax the human body into regenerating complex body parts after injury or disease. As an example, regeneration of amputated limbs in amphibians - “epimorphic” regeneration which includes cellular dedifferentiation in the injured tissues of the limb stump and proliferat...

A team of scientists from The Scripps Research Institute found an increased concentration of certain metabolites in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of monkeys with SIV-induced central nervous system (CNS) disease, a model for HIV patients with CNS damage. The investigators used global metabolomics to assess the levels of metabolites in CSF before and after SIV-induced encephalitis appeared. They found elevated levels in four categories: carnitine, acyl-carnitines, fatty acids, and phospholipids. Consistent with this, the team reports, a protein known to be important in the generation of fatty acids was increased in the brains of monkeys with SIV-induced encephalitis. The elevation in free fatty acids and lysophospholipids correlated with increased expression of specific phospholipases in the brains of animals with encephalitis, according to the researchers. One of these, phospholipase A2 isoenzyme, is capable of releasing a number of the fatty acids identified. It was expressed in d...

Researchers found that the thromboxane receptor, which is activated by isoprostanes, may be a new therapeutic target for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that two isoprostane isoforms are know to be elevated in AD and AD-like diseases but not in other neurodegenerative diseases. Investigators found that injection of one of these isoprostanes increased the number of amyloid plaques in a mouse model of AD. They further showed that activation of the thromboxane receptor increased levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its cleavage products including those that form plaques. The thromboxane receptor also increased the stability of APP mRNA and this likely provides more substrate for amyloid production, according to the researchers. The scientists also showed that thromboxane receptor antagonists reversed the effects of isoprostane injection in mice and also reduced plaque formation in Tg2576 mice that were not treated with isoprostane. The researchers invol...

British researchers have identified two common genetic mutations that increase the risk of osteoporosis and related bone fractures, according to a study released on Tuesday. These changes were present in 20 percent of the people studied and highlight the potential role of screening for the bone-thinning. Talking about Osteoporosis, other related bone diseases affecting bone formation and repair. There has been increased interest both in academia and industry in tissue regeneration and working towards understanding the biological processes involved in self regeneration. The key to success is in understanding basic developmental processes focused on tissue regeneration (including bone formation and repair). One such key resource researchers might be interested in, is Receptome – a knowledgebase of functional endogenous ligand-receptor pairs in developmental processes . Few key applications areas are : to identify major mediators, roles in cellular processes, expression and role of...

Blogging already on the recent developments in Gene Therapy , This weekend two teams reported success in helping people to see again. Nature News catches up on the state of gene therapy trials against blindness due to Leber’s congenital amaurosis (LCA). LCA, a rare inherited form of blindness. Patients with LCA have a genetic defect that affects the development of the light receptors in their eyes; typically they have poor vision at birth and are blind within three decades. Some 3,000 people are thought to be affected in the United States . here are answers to some important questions that may arise like: What sort of blindness do the new reports address? Were the patients 'cured'? How does it work? What other treatments are being investigated for severe blindness? Has gene therapy been trialled for blindness before? for answers read

Talking about novel receptor genes expressed in human tissues . This morning's news featured, An international team of cell biologists has created heart tissue — complete with beat — in a test tube. The tissue culture contains three distinct cell types, each of which is important in functioning hearts, and is thus a step towards the advent of lab-grown heart-tissue transplants. To day, research is considerably accelerated by the use of scientific knowledgebase and informatics tools which aid researchers significantly minimize time and effort spent on knowledge transfer across their teams and in scientific study. Thanks to such tools which supplement lab work and act as comprehensive repertoire that make optimal use of the plethora of data available in literature and centralize it as a searchable tool to investigate the characteristics of functional ligand-receptor pairs and their potential use and applications. The research team led by Gordon Keller of the McEwen Centre for Regen...

Heart attacks are commonly caused by blood clots formed of blood platelets. A new research suggests that it should be possible to create a clot-busting pill that targets a receptor on the blood cells’ surface, something that high-risk patients could take at the first sign of chest pain. The key to such a pill is according to the research findings a receptor called αIIbβ3 on the platelets’ surface that is intimately involved in the aggregation process. Interfering with αIIbβ3 can prevent an unwanted thrombus and the three αIIbβ3 inhibitors currently on the market can do just that. But they also have side effects and risks and must be administered intravenously. Researchers at Rockefeller University have found a new molecule, called RUC-1 , that not only appears to sidestep these problems but, unlike existing drugs, could be taken orally.

IMGT®, the international ImMunoGeneTics information system ( http://imgt.cines.fr ), is the reference in immunogenetics and immunoinformatics. IMGT standardizes and manages the complex immunogenetic data that include the immunoglobulins (IG) or antibodies, the T cell receptors (TR), the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and the related proteins of the immune system (RPI), which belong to the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) and the MHC superfamily (MhcSF). The accuracy and consistency of IMGT data and the coherence between the different IMGT components (databases, tools and Web resources) are based on IMGT-ONTOLOGY, the first ontology for immunogenetics and immunoinformatics. IMGT-ONTOLOGY manages the immunogenetics knowledge through diverse facets relying on seven axioms, ‘IDENTIFICATION’, ‘DESCRIPTION’, ‘CLASSIFICATION’, ‘NUMEROTATION’, ‘LOCALIZATION’, ‘ORIENTATION’ and ‘OBTENTION’, that postulate that objects, processes and relations have to be identified, d...