Navigation Links
Steroid hormone receptor prefers working alone to shut off immune system genes
Date:12/9/2012

nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21496643

Eric Ortlund, PhD, Emory assistant professor of biochemistry, and first author William Hudson, a Molecular and Systems Pharmacology graduate student, used X-rays to probe crystals of GR bound to a stretch of DNA where it acts "repressively" to shut down the transcription of immune genes.

When the GR turns genes on, two GR molecules grasp each other while binding to DNA. However, the mode of binding to DNA at repressive sequences had remained unknown. Their analysis demonstrated that GR binds to repressive sites in pairs, but with two monomeric GR molecules located on opposite sides of the DNA helix.

"This unexpected geometry was still a surprise because GR has never been crystallized as a monomer bound to DNA, though previous studies proposed that GR monomers repress genes as opposed to GR dimers, which activate genes," says Ortlund.

In addition, the two GR molecules bind to different DNA sequences within the repressive DNA element, Hudson and Ortlund found. They also analyzed how mutations affected the ability of GR to bind repressive sites, showing that binding of the first GR molecule inhibits the binding of a second GR molecule. This "negative cooperativity" may play a role in ensuring that only GR monomers bind to DNA.

The study suggests that a drug preventing GR from interacting with other GR molecules while still allowing them to bind DNA and turn genes off may have anti-inflammatory effects with fewer side effects. One such plant-based compound, "compound A," has been under investigation by several laboratories.

"Our structural data could help scientists design synthetic hormones that separate these two aspects of GR function, potentially leading to improved steroid hormones for diseases ranging from asthma to autoimmune disorders," says Ortlund.


'/>"/>

Contact: Holly Korschun
hkorsch@emory.edu
404-727-3990
Emory University
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related biology news :

1. BRG1 mutations confer resistance to hormones in lung cancer
2. Estrogen hormone reveals protective ability after traumatic brain injury
3. Measuring progesterone receptor expression to improve hormone-receptor-positive cancer management
4. Hormones dictate when youngsters fly the nest, says new research
5. Hormone-mimicking chemicals cause inter-species mating
6. Lighting up the plant hormone command system
7. Hormone in fruit flies sheds light on diabetes cure, weight-loss drug for humans
8. Stress hormones: Good or bad for posttraumatic stress disorder risk?
9. New cause of thyroid hormone deficiency discovered
10. Hormone combination effective and safe for treating obesity in mice
11. Estrogenic plants linked to altered hormones, possible behavior changes in monkeys
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/23/2013)... Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, ... Technology, have received a $4 million grant over ... Emory University (Health and Exposome Research Center: Understanding ... center grant awarded in the United States. ... National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) of ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... the overall health, development, and academic success of ... ensuring that all students have opportunities to engage ... vigorous or moderate-intensity physical activity, says a new ... estimates suggest that only about half of school-age ... health and development. The report recommends that ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood. Following a cardiac ... boy had been in a persistent vegetative state ... treatment with the cord blood containing stem cells, the ... learned to speak simple sentences and to move. "Our ... the long-held doubts about the effectiveness of the new ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Emory, Georgia Tech receive first human exposome center grant in US 2Emory, Georgia Tech receive first human exposome center grant in US 3Schools should provide opportunities for 60 minutes of daily physical activity to all students 2Schools should provide opportunities for 60 minutes of daily physical activity to all students 3First successful treatment of pediatric cerebral palsy with autologous cord blood 2
... November 18, 2008 -- Researchers at the University of California, ... been used to block and reverse type 1 diabetes in ... the National Academy of Sciences , was led by Jeffrey ... an expert in the field of autoimmunity. "The findings ...
... at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Education and Research on ... to study the risks and benefits of a newer ... therapies that target the immune system of patients who ... disorders. The award will allow the UAB CERTs ...
... WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Materials engineers have created a ... and, if perfected, might be used for environmental cleanup, ... would last longer than conventional filters for separating oil ... oil, traits that are usually mutually exclusive. Researchers attached ...
Cached Biology News:Musculoskeletal center wins $2.2 million for drug safety 2New filtering technology has environmental, industrial applications 2New filtering technology has environmental, industrial applications 3
(Date:5/24/2013)... Swedesboro, NJ (PRWEB) May 24, 2013 Dr. ... Elmer, NJ and Swedesboro, NJ, are proud to announce an ... event will take place on Saturday, June 8th from 10 ... Dr. Warmuth, Anamaria Newport, MHS, PA-C and staff will be ... dermal fillers, laser and aesthetic treatments, and provide complimentary cosmetic ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... May 24, 2013 In a ... industry suppliers will present technologies with applications in ... annual SPIE Optics and Photonics symposium ... SPIE, the international society for optics and ... multidisciplinary optical sciences and technology meeting in North ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... May 24, 2013 Bed bug cases tend ... themselves from the looming higher risk of becoming the pests' ... new bed bug guideline. In the guide, the company enumerated ... and avoiding them while traveling. , According to My ... increase of bed bug infestation during summer: the warm weather ...
(Date:5/24/2013)... Israel , May 24, 2013 ... leader in embolic protection stents, announced that Alan ... and Craig Shore , the Company,s Chief ... Investor Conference on Thursday May 30, 2013 at The Pfister ... The format of the conference includes a ...
Breaking Biology Technology:See What’s in Earth’s Future ? and Out in Space Now ? at SPIE Optics and Photonics 2See What’s in Earth’s Future ? and Out in Space Now ? at SPIE Optics and Photonics 3See What’s in Earth’s Future ? and Out in Space Now ? at SPIE Optics and Photonics 4Steps for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs without Using Chemicals and Avoiding Them While Traveling Enumerated by My Cleaning Products in Its Latest Post 2Steps for Getting Rid of Bed Bugs without Using Chemicals and Avoiding Them While Traveling Enumerated by My Cleaning Products in Its Latest Post 3InspireMD To Participate In Benchmark Investor Conference On May 30th 2InspireMD To Participate In Benchmark Investor Conference On May 30th 3InspireMD To Participate In Benchmark Investor Conference On May 30th 4
... N.J., Feb. 5 Genta,Incorporated (Nasdaq: GNTA ) ... Dr. Raymond P. Warrell, Jr., will provide a,company overview ... &,Investor Conference. The presentation is scheduled for Wednesday, February,13th ... New York, NY., About Genta, Genta Incorporated ...
... LOUISVILLE, Colo., Feb. 5 Replidyne, Inc.,(Nasdaq: RDYN ) ... February 26, 2008 at 4:45 P.M. ET to report 2007 ... upcoming,investor conference in February 2008., Earnings conference call ... President and CEO, and other members of Replidyne,s ...
... Mass., Feb. 5 Echo Therapeutics,Inc. (OTC Bulletin ... announced today that Patrick T. Mooney, M.D, Chairman,and ... Small-Cap Investor,Conference on February 7, 2008 at 3:50 ... The conference will be held at the Four ...
Cached Biology Technology:Genta Incorporated to Present at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference 2Genta Incorporated to Present at the BIO CEO & Investor Conference 3Replidyne to Report 2007 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Earnings 2Replidyne to Report 2007 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Earnings 3Echo Therapeutics to Present at RedChip Small-Cap Investor Conference 2
... optically clear polystyrene formulation , High antibody-binding ... , Plates are certified for performance ... , Eight-well strips fit snugly in ... in use even if turned upside down ...
...
... an aqueous solution that contains a purified ... in a saline solution, pH 6.5 ... methylisothiazolone and 0.02% bromonitrodioxane as a preservative. ... and stabilizer for biologically active components in ...
... StabilGuard Biomolecule Stabilizer is a bovine protein-free ... is an aqueous solution that contains non-toxic ... saline), pH 6.6 - 7.2, and does ... maintains the activity of antibodies and other ...
Biology Products: