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Mystery glycoprotein could prevent respiratory distress
According to researchers, the DMBT1S8 molecule can halt inflammation in the respiratory tract through its interaction with the Siglec-8 receptor on immune cells.
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Drug Targets
A drug target is anything within a living organism to which a drug is directed and/or binds, resulting in a change in its behaviour or function.
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A novel drug target for viral encephalitis therapies
Researchers showed CXCL1 signalling to neutrophils drove brain inflammation in herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis and blocking the protein resulted in less severe disease.
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Could FDA-approved drug heparin prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection?
SARS-CoV-2 entry into human cells is dependent on heparan sulfate and disrupting this interaction using heparin reduces infectivity of the coronavirus, find scientists.
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The next generation of cancer immunotherapies: re-exploring the IL-2 pathway
In this article, Dr Bruce Dezube explains why new cancer immunotherapy drugs that utilise the IL-2 pathway with lower side effects could offer more benefits compared to high-dose IL-2 treatment.
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Drug target to combat three coronavirus diseases identified by researchers
Researchers studying the PLpro binding site of three coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2, say the BL2 loop could be targeted by antiviral drugs.
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Novel antiviral drug candidate blocks SARS-CoV-2 reproduction in cells
In human cells, a drug candidate called PF-00835231 has demonstrated success at blocking the reproduction of SARS-CoV-2.
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Cocaine and the brain: identifying targets for addiction therapies
There are currently no licenced pharmaceuticals to treat cocaine addiction. To overcome this issue, US researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have been exploring how cocaine alters transcription in the nucleus accumbens, a region of the brain implicated in compulsive drug use. Here, Hannah Balfour discusses with Dr…
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COVID-19 therapies in the pipeline
As the global COVID-19 situation is rapidly changing, staying abreast with the latest news can be challenging. In this article, Sheraz Gul provides an overview of the broad range of potential treatments in development and discusses how the regulatory landscape can shift at any time.
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Study identifies potential therapeutic targets for most lethal pancreatic cancer
The detailed analysis of adenosquamous cancer of the pancreas (ASCP) suggested FGFR and RORC were two promising therapeutic targets.
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Novel molecule restores lost connections in spinal cords and brains of mice
Researchers have developed a molecule that can restore lost connections in the spinal cords and brains of mice with cerebellar ataxia, Alzheimer's disease and spinal cord injury.
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Researchers target previously “undruggable” enzyme to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy in cells
By targeting a previously undiscovered allosteric site on a DMD-associated enzyme, researchers found muscle cell conditions improved.
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Stem cells used to identify potential treatments for Parkinson’s disease
Scientists have found two active substances that allowed cells to reactivate the production of a protein that prevents the onset of Parkinson's disease.
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Exploring the intra-protein non-covalent interactions in the S1 domain of the SARS-CoV-2 S1 Spike protein
The Spike (S) protein is a promising drug target in the quest to develop vaccines and antivirals for SARS-CoV-2 to treat and prevent COVID-19. Intra-protein interaction energy landscape mapping efforts have recently identified key interactions that may be crucial for the S protein’s ability to bind to receptor proteins on…
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Adding to the arsenal: targeting human proteins for controlling M. tuberculosis growth
The National Institute of Health envisions a plan for managing tuberculosis in the 21st century. Included in this proposal is targeting host proteins as an add-on therapy to antibiotics. Infectious disease biologists are focusing on this strategy and it is a topic of active research. Recently, a multinational research team…
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Exploring new drug targets in Alzheimer’s disease
Although many potential targets have been identified for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is no effective treatment for this debilitating condition. In this article, Monika Schmidt and Sheraz Gul delve into the key proteins implicated in AD and suggest how phenotypic assays could aid in AD drug discovery.
