Navigation Links
Powerful drug's surprising, simple method could lead to better treatments
Date:1/16/2012

ural amphotericin against both of the yeast cell lines the researchers tested, once of which is highly pathogenic in humans. The researchers detailed their findings in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"The results are all consistent with the same conclusion: In contrast to half a century of prior study and the textbook-classic model, amphotericin kills yeast by simply binding ergosterol," Burke said.

"The beauty is, because we now know this is the key mechanism, we can focus squarely on that goal. Now we can start to think about drug discovery programs targeting lipid binding."

The researchers currently are working to synthesize a derivative that will bind to ergosterol in yeast cells, but will not bind to cholesterol in human cells, to see if that could kill an infection without harming the patient. They also hope to explore other derivatives that would target lipids in fungi, bacteria and other microbes that are not present in human cells. Attacking these lipids could be a therapeutic strategy that may defy resistance.

In addition to exploiting amphotericin's lipid-binding properties for antimicrobial drugs, Burke and his group hope to harness its channel-creating ability to develop treatments for conditions caused by ion-channel deficiencies; for example, cystic fibrosis. These new findings suggest that the ion-channel mechanism could be decoupled from the cell-killing mechanism, thus enabling development of derivatives that could serve as "molecular prosthetics," replacing missing proteins in cell membranes with small-molecule surrogates.

"Now we have a road map to take ampho-terrible and turn it into ampho-terrific," Burke said.


'/>"/>
Contact: Liz Ahlberg
eahlberg@illinois.edu
217-244-1073
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Powerful mathematical model greatly improves predictions for species facing climate change
2. 2 top biological imaging centers offer powerful free online tool to researchers and public
3. Zeroing in on more powerful enzymes for degrading persistent pollutants
4. Powerful antibody-based strategy suggests a new therapeutic approach to diabetes and obesity
5. Powerful antioxidant resveratrol prevents metabolic syndrome in lab tests: U of A study
6. New fossils demonstrate that powerful eyes evolved in a twinkling
7. Finding is a feather in the cap for researchers studying birds big, powerful eyes
8. Giant fire-bellied toads brain brims with powerful germ-fighters
9. New device promises safer way to deliver powerful drugs
10. Structure of DNA repair complex reveals workings of powerful cell motor
11. K-State research channels powerful Kansas wind to keep electricity running
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Powerful drug's surprising, simple method could lead to better treatments
(Date:5/15/2013)... In the largest clinical trial to date to examine ... carriers with diseases other than breast and ovarian cancer, ... against advanced pancreatic and prostate cancers. Results of the ... Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Sheba Medical ... the American Society of Clinical Oncology,s annual meeting in ...
(Date:5/15/2013)... ITHACA, N.Y. - Clam fossils from the middle Devonian ... yield a better paleontological picture of the capacity of ... change, according to research published today (May 15) in ... to examine species abundance the head counts of ... ecosystems. The research shows that factors such as predation ...
(Date:5/15/2013)... frontier explorer and world-renowned filmmaker James Cameron has been ... Diego as the recipient of the 2013 Nierenberg Prize ... a presentation on his record-setting DEEPSEA CHALLENGE expedition and ... Friday, May 31, on the UC San Diego campus. ... probe the mysteries and promise of the deep sea ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):PARP inhibitor shows activity in pancreatic, prostate cancers among patients carrying BRCA mutations 2Clam fossils divulge secrets of ecologic stability 2James Cameron to be publicly honored with Scripps Nierenberg Prize 2James Cameron to be publicly honored with Scripps Nierenberg Prize 3James Cameron to be publicly honored with Scripps Nierenberg Prize 4
... simply turn genes on and off now looks to be ... Institute at the University of Utah, report in the July ... showed for the first time that when certain parts of ... to be only minor players in the protein world ?they ...
... barren period when very few therapies were introduced for neglected ... the loss of the equivalent of 92m years' of healthy ... , In the PLoS Medicine analysis, which is based upon ... of the London School of Economics found that around three-quarters ...
... theoretical price of having one's personal genome sequenced just ... $2.2 million, and the goal is to reduce the ... realistic. , The sharp drop is due to a ... (HMS) researchers Jay Shendure, Gregory Porreca, George Church, and ...
Cached Biology News:A 'dimmer switch' for genes 2A 'dimmer switch' for genes 3A step toward the $1,000 personal genome using readily available lab equipment 2
(Date:5/17/2013)... Dr. Sparano is Professor of Medicine and ... Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Associate Chairman of ... He is also Associate Director for Clinical Research ... Breast Cancer Working Group, a multidisciplinary group of physicians ... also serves as Vice Chair of the National Cancer ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... Photographers know the ... see which branch a bird is sitting on, but spotting ... lens for high-magnification images requires considerable skill. It is a ... the active biomolecules of cells. , Olga Schubert, a doctoral ... her colleagues have now come up with a search aid. ...
(Date:5/17/2013)... May 17, 2013 •    First of its ... for sustainability ,     New facility will help solve ... , Syngenta unveiled its new crop research ... company’s RTP Innovation Center. The first of its kind, ... simulate any agricultural climate and precisely measure plant inputs ...
(Date:5/17/2013)...  Yongye International, Inc. (NASDAQ: YONG ) ... distributor of crop nutrient products in the ... on May 16, 2013, the special committee (the "Special ... Directors") was provided a letter (the "Letter") issued by ... Limited ("Abax") to Full Alliance International Limited ("Full Alliance"). ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Joseph A. Sparano, MD, Named Vice Chair of ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group 2Joseph A. Sparano, MD, Named Vice Chair of ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group 3Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 2Proteome atlas for the tuberculosis pathogen 3Syngenta Opens Unique $72 Million Advanced Crop Lab 2Syngenta Opens Unique $72 Million Advanced Crop Lab 3Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 2Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 3Yongye International Provides Update on Status of Proposed Go Private Offer 4
... therapies have been proposed for regenerative medicine and tissue ... stem cells to efficiently develop into the desired specific ... bone or neurons now limits the potential clinical ... delivering molecules within aggregates of embryonic stem cells via ...
... Baxter Healthcare Corporation,today announced its V-Link Luer-activated ... needleless intravenous (IV) connector to,contain an antimicrobial ... the,United States and Canada. V-Link with VitalShield ... percent or more of specific common pathogens,(infection-causing ...
... CALGARY, April 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ - Oncolytics Biotech ... from its U.K. combination REOLYSIN(R) and carboplatin/paclitaxel,trial. ... Cancer Research, London,and the principal investigator for ... 5th Annual Conference of the British Society ...
Cached Biology Technology:Method to deliver molecules within embryonic stem cells improves differentiation 2Method to deliver molecules within embryonic stem cells improves differentiation 3Baxter's V-Link Luer-Activated Device With VitalShield Protective Coating Now Available For Hospitals 2Baxter's V-Link Luer-Activated Device With VitalShield Protective Coating Now Available For Hospitals 3Baxter's V-Link Luer-Activated Device With VitalShield Protective Coating Now Available For Hospitals 4Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Reports Positive Interim Results of U.K. Combination REOLYSIN(R) and Carboplatin/Paclitaxel Trial 2Oncolytics Biotech Inc. Reports Positive Interim Results of U.K. Combination REOLYSIN(R) and Carboplatin/Paclitaxel Trial 3
... for whole-blood clinical diagnostic work in hospitals ... this analyzer makes precise glucose measurements of ... lactate measurements of whole blood, plasma, or ... allows you to have glucose results expressed ...
... This BioSafe room is configured specifically ... and chemical analysis. Panels are precision-joined ... easy to wipe down and disinfect. ... double-wall panel design creates strong, rigid ...
... Phosphate Sensor is a highly sensitive reagent ... product is a purified form of recombinant ... fluorophore MDCC, which is sensitive to changes ... phosphate by Phosphate Sensor is rapid and ...
... This benchtop ductless exhaust hood ... allowing safe indoor release of exhaust. ... contaminants. Over 28" of vertical clearance ... glassware. Includes polypropylene spill tray; options ...
Biology Products: