Researchers Discover Zip Codes For Protein
Date: 5.2.2007
McMaster scientists are very close to defining small molecule drugs that should be able to redirect the huntingtin protein from accumulating in the wrong place within brain cells, which could potentially translate to a therapy for Huntington's Disease (HD).
There is currently no way to stop or reverse the progression of Huntington's Disease, which affects one in 10,000 Americans. It is a progressive, and eventually fatal, genetic neurological disease.
Associate professor Ray Truant's lab has discovered molecular 'zip codes' or protein sequences in the huntingtin protein that dictate where it goes to within a brain cell.
"We have shown that the mutant huntingtin protein is mis-localized in brain cells in Huntington's Disease...
Whole article: "http://www.sciencedaily.com":[ http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/01/070129140307.htm]
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