Navigation Links
Scientists ID 'Jekyll-Hyde' Protein in Lou Gehrig's Disease
Date:7/29/2008

Gene mutations cause superoxide dismutase to clump up in motor neurons

TUESDAY, July 29 (HealthDay News) -- A protein dysfunction could help drive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, according to a study by researchers at Brandeis University and Harvard Medical School.

ALS is a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord that control muscle movement. In this study, researchers focused on the rare, familial form of ALS (fALS) as a way of better understanding the sporadic form of ALS, which accounts for 90 percent of all cases. Clinical symptoms are identical in both forms of the disease.

About 15 years ago, scientists found that mutations in the gene that makes the protein superoxide dismutase caused familial ALS, but just how these mutations cause ALS has remained a mystery.

In this new study, researchers found that fALS is caused by two properties of superoxide dismutase that create toxic levels of the protein in motor neurons.

"We discovered that increased protein unfolding and the propensity of the proteins to aggregate (clump together) are the major factors in the familial form of ALS," Brandeis chemist Jeff Agar said in a university news release.

"The protein superoxide dismutase, normally a useful antioxidant, goes from Dr. Jekyll to Mr. Hyde when it clumps up," Agar said.

The study was published this week in the journal PLoS Biology.

The next phase of this research is to develop drugs that prevent superoxide dismutase from clumping together.

More information

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has more about ALS.



-- Robert Preidt



SOURCE: Brandeis University, news release
'/>"/>

Copyright©2008 ScoutNews,LLC.
All rights reserved

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. New prion protein discovered by Canadian scientists may offer insight into mad cow disease
2. Scientists Probe Sepsis Deadly Secrets
3. Scientists puzzled by severe allergic reaction to cancer drug in the middle Southern US
4. Scientists Develop Natural Protection for Stored Foods
5. Scientists detect presence of marburg virus in african fruit bats
6. Scientists Spot Brains Free Will Center
7. Scientists ID Likely Culprit in Popcorn Lung
8. Scientists explain how insulin secreting cells maintain their glucose sensitivity
9. Scripps Research scientists shed new light on how antibodies fight HIV
10. Scientists, physicians present latest findings in personalized cancer treatment and prevention
11. Scientists demonstate link between genetic variant and effectiveness of smoking cessation meds
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
(Date:5/25/2013)... Many orthodontists have thought about moving their office to ... Most people would naturally assume that the company ... service and support would own and maintain all the ... be wrong. Cloud providers lease space in a ... houses servers and related equipment to run cloud environments) ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... According to world-renowned scholars, Queen Cleopatra ... women that ever lived. Cleopatra’s legendary beauty moved nations ... most powerful men in her time. Cleopatra was also ... her skin glowing and fresh, from her legendary milk ... oil and cyprus grass. , Cleopatra was said to ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... (PRWEB) May 25, 2013 The Slim Weight ... effectiveness and results. This is due to the highly sought ... patches. Slim weight patch offers an extra 2 months supply ... fitness goals and get the body you desire faster than ... Official Website , With Slim weight patch consumers can ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... Prairie Living at Chautauqua , ... American Red Cross Blood Drive from 1:30 to 5:30 ... is located at 955 Villa Ct. in Carbondale, Illinois, ... Medicaid, who need some help to maintain their independence.. ... Andrea Arview Frey, Director of Marketing for Prairie Living. ...
(Date:5/25/2013)... (PRWEB) May 25, 2013 Ayurveda ... "knowledge or wisdom of life". While a medical science, its ... transformation of consciousness. Its fundamental philosophy is that disease is ... environment. In order to re-establish optimal health, one must discover ... a life style which brings us back into perfect harmony. ...
Breaking Medicine News(10 mins):Health News:Cirrus Ortho Launches Cloud Computing for Orthodontic Industry That is Unlike Any Other 2Health News:The Cleopatra Lift - A New Non Surgical Option to Aging Offered by Vancouver Physician 2Health News:The Cleopatra Lift - A New Non Surgical Option to Aging Offered by Vancouver Physician 3Health News:Slim Weight Patch Advanced Weight Loss System Offers Extra Two Month Supply and Membership for Maximum Weight Loss 2Health News:Carbondale Affordable Assisted Living Community to Host Red Cross Blood Drive 2Health News:Fundamentos de Ayurveda in Mexico (Ayurvedic Principles) Offered by Escuela de Ayurveda de California 2
... N.C., Nov. 19 People in the middle ... with dread.,Long-standing family traditions are shattered; the hope ... by loneliness and depression. This year,s,economic downturn will ... separated or,divorced and facing already-difficult financial circumstances. , ...
... 19 With issues around patient comfort gaining,momentum, hospitals ... patients, relief and welfare. This is leading to a ... used for a greater,number of patients and not just ... (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081117/FSLOGO ) , ...
... to SF neighborhood with highest citywide rate of diabetes hospitalizations ... Nov. 19 On World Diabetes Day, St. Anthony Free ... as well as diabetic foot and eye exams, medication review, ... Francisco,s poor and homeless. St. Anthony,s effort to address the ...
... Custom made, precision mechanical bearing assemblies are ideal for the ... , ... Chatsworth, CA (Vocus) November 19, ... precision mechanical bearing assemblies. These next level bearing assemblies ...
... Center Available to People Affected by Plastics Plant Fire , ... Houston, ... Kherkher has set up an informational resource center for people ... Park. , ,At approximately 7:15 AM Tuesday morning, a fire broke ...
... offer honeymoon travel planning tools and services exclusively ... destinations on Italy,s Adriatic Coast for 2008. The ... activities the destination has to offer. Top hotels ... breakfasts on the highest terrace in Venice, and ...
Cached Medicine News:Health News:Holiday Season Amplifies Hurt of Separation and Divorce: Economic Woes Add to Pressure 2Health News:Patient Temperature Management Systems Enjoying Wider Usage 2Health News:Patient Temperature Management Systems Enjoying Wider Usage 3Health News:Turkey Tips, Massage, and a Blood Test: St. Anthony's Celebrates Diabetes Day in New Green Clinic 2Health News:NMB Introduces Custom Built Bearing Assemblies 2Health News:Williams Kherkher Provides Resource Center after Deer Park Plant Fire 2Health News:Blissport Unveils the Best Honeymoon Destinations on Italy's Adriatic Coast for 2009 2
(Date:5/23/2013)... IRVINE, Calif. , May 23, 2013 ... breast cancer may not benefit from chemotherapy and still ... announced the launch of one of the largest sources ... The new website and interactive Facebook page provide recently ... if they can safely avoid chemotherapy. "We ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... MONICA, Calif. , May 23, 2013 ... a program that would have required them to obtain ... today by Consumer Watchdog and Whatley Kallas LLC.  ... Diego Superior Court, alleged that Blue Cross,s mandatory mail ... patients, threatening their health and privacy. "This ...
(Date:5/23/2013)... -- Texas, premier physician associations today announced the establishment of ... need to provide demonstrably better and more efficient patient ... "I am confident the Physician Services Organization for ... Stephen L. Brotherton , MD, president of the ... doctors are determined to make health care better and ...
Breaking Medicine Technology:Agendia Launches Social Media Campaigns to Help Breast Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy Decisions 2Agendia Launches Social Media Campaigns to Help Breast Cancer Patients with Chemotherapy Decisions 3Blue Cross To Allow HIV/AIDS Patients to "Opt-Out" of Mandatory Mail-Order Rx Drug Program, Announces Consumer Watchdog 2Blue Cross To Allow HIV/AIDS Patients to "Opt-Out" of Mandatory Mail-Order Rx Drug Program, Announces Consumer Watchdog 3TMA Launches Physician Services Organization for Patient Care 2TMA Launches Physician Services Organization for Patient Care 3TMA Launches Physician Services Organization for Patient Care 4
... Aug. 10 More than 33% of,pharmaceutical ... clinical,investigators 50% faster than their industry peers. ... trial costs while improving quality,by employing on-going ... research probing clinical trial excellence by,pharmaceutical consulting ...
... 10 Study results recently,published in the ... Imaging (BSGI) provides higher sensitivity for the,detection ... mammography or MRI and,can reliably detect small, ... Rachel Brem and colleagues at The George ...
Cached Medicine Technology:Clinical Trial Effectiveness: How Pharmas & Biotechs Save Cost with Savvy Investigator Management 2BSGI Posts Higher Sensitivity than Mammography or MRI for the Detection of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ 2BSGI Posts Higher Sensitivity than Mammography or MRI for the Detection of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ 3BSGI Posts Higher Sensitivity than Mammography or MRI for the Detection of Ductal Carcinoma In Situ 4
Jewelers forceps. Insulated....
Semkin forceps with stops. Insulated....
Gerald bayonet forceps. Insulated....
Cushing forceps. Insulated....
Medicine Products: