Protein found to control tumor growth in certain breast cancers
...indicating that Nod1 acts as an effective cellular brake on estrogen-dependent tumor growth. In addition, the presence of Nod1 reduced the expression of the naturally occurring estrogen receptor in vitro, further indication that the protein mediates the sensitivity of hormone-dependent breast cancer cells...Mechanism for Epstein-Barr virus protein's role in blood cancers discovered
...the retinoblastoma protein, an important molecular brake for cell proliferation. Erle S. Robertson, PhD, an Associate Professor of Microbiology who leads the Tumor Virology Program at Penn's Abramson Cancer Center, and MD/PhD student Jason Knight, published their results last week in the Proceedings of the...You can't rely on firearms forensics
...rly at risk of being falsely accused, because some brake linings contain heavy metals and can form GSRlike particles at the temperatures reached during braking. At an FBI symposium last June, GSR experts discussed ways to improve and standardise the tests. The bureau would not discuss the meeting, but spec...Customized gene chip provides rapid detection of genetic changes in children's cancer
...involved is a tumor suppressor gene, LOH removes a brake on uncontrolled cell growth, the growth that is the hallmark of cancer. Researchers in Dr. Maris' laboratory previously established that LOH in a region of chromosome 11 allows aggressive neuroblastoma to take hold. The new microarray can detect su...Discovery suggests why stem cells run through stop signs
...stem cells, just like ordinary cells. The cellular brake (in this case a protein called Dacapo, a fruit fly homologue of a human tumor suppressor) kept the stem cells from proliferating. "Determining which of the 80 microRNAs is responsible for deactivating the stop signal is the next step of our research...Gene keeps neural cells on correct developmental path
...open and poised for gene activity. "REST keeps the brake on lightly until a trigger tells embryonic stem cells it's time to make a neuron," Mandel said. The cell then triggers the expression of an ensemble of genes that coordinates nervous system development by removing REST in three distinct phases, endin...Yale scientists find microRNA regulates Ras cancer gene
...rt a mutated Ras to normal; instead it acts like a brake on an accelerated Ras." Lung cancer currently has a poor prognosis with less than 15 percent of patients surviving five years. The lungs, however, are relatively accessible for inhalation of potential gene therapy agents. "While this is not likely to...Marsh-dwelling mole gives new meaning to the term 'fast food'
...kes a car driver about 650 milliseconds to hit the brake after seeing the traffic light ahead turn red. The star-nosed mole, operating in the Stygian darkness of its burrow, can detect the presence of a tasty tidbit, such as an insect larva or tiny worm, determine that it is edible and gulp it down in half...New gene target found for common brain tumors in children
...red to Notch2. Notch1 proteins normally provide a brake on growth of medulloblastoma cells and blocking their activation would cancel out some of the drug's effects. "The net effect of any drug will depend on how much of each Notch1 and Notch2 is present, and since we found more Notch2, we think the scal...Lag-3 gene dampens immune responses by controlling regulatory T-cell function
The discovery that the Lag-3 gene acts as a brake to prevent immune system responses from running out of control solves a mystery that has puzzled researchers since the gene was discovered 14 years ago. A report on this discovery, from investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and The J...