Weizmann institute scientists solve the 3-D structure of the enzyme involved in Gauch...( e three-dimensional structure of an enz...)

e three-dimensional structure of an enzyme is to grow its crystals. In the case of the glucocerebrosidase enzyme involved in Gaucher disease, the crystallization was a formidable challenge. The Weizmann Institute scientists succeeded in this task by cutting parts of certain sugar molecules on the surface of the enzyme.

The scientists then resorted to X-ray crystallography, a method in which the crystal is exposed to X-rays and the structure of its molecules is determined by the diffraction pattern of the X-rays. The X-ray data were collected at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in Grenoble, France.

The solution of the enzyme structure may lead to the development of new therapies for Gaucher disease. First, the structural information may help design a more effective enzyme that will improve today's ERT therapy. This approach is most likely to provide effective additional treatments for Gaucher disease, until the development of gene therapy for this disorder is developed. Another type of therapy likely to emerge from the Weizmann findings is the design of small molecules that will supplement the damaged enzyme in the patient's body, thereby restoring its normal functioning.

Yeda Research and Development Co., which is responsible for the commercialization of Weizmann Institute research, has filed a patent application for the medical applications of these findings.

'"/>

Contact: Alex Smith
Alex_smith@margeotes.com
212-460-0563
American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science
1-Jun-2003

Page: 1 2
Related biology news :

1. Weizmann scientists invention moves forward: Cancer diagnosis technique gets FDA clearance
2. Psoriasis treatment based on Weizmann Institute Research passes phase II clinical trials
3. Weizmann Institute scientists report why taste and smell differ among individuals
4. Weizmann Institute scienists find that stem cells in the bone marrow become liver cells
5. Prize to Weizmann Institute professor for landmark work in stem cell transplantation
6. New witchweed-fighting method, presented by CIMMYT and Weizmann Institute scientist
7. Weizmann Institute scientists win global competition in predicting protein-protein interactions
8. Vaccination following spinal cord injury: Innovative Weizmann Institute approach limits paralysis
9. Weizmann Institute scientists block loss of eyesight in animals with a glaucoma-like disease
10. Weizmann Institute researcher named to Israel Academy Of Sciences And Humanities
11. Weizmann Institute scientists develop a novel system for analyzing genetic data that mimics the human capacity for unsupervised learning