Interaction of just 2 genes governs coloration patterns in mice
...ied two pigmentation genes, for the melanocortin-1 receptor (Mc1r) and an agouti signaling protein (Agouti) that binds to this receptor and turns it off. A single amino-acid mutation in Mc1r gene can weaken the receptor's activity, or a...High blood pressure, low energy -- a recipe for heart failure
...olecular factor, a protein called estrogen-related receptor alpha (ERR alpha), helps the heart keep up with energy-draining conditions like high blood pressure, which makes the heart work harder to pump blood. In the July issue of Cell Metabolism, Kelly and his colleagues report that mice born without any ERR...New molecular regulators of hyperthyroidism and goiter
...of TSH, as well as increased signaling through the receptor for TSH, result in hyperthyroidism (characterized ... it burns) and goiter. Signals downstream of the receptor for TSH had been thought to be mediated mainly by a protein complex known as Gs. But now, a study th...JCI table of contents: Aug. 9, 2007
...of TSH, as well as increased signaling through the receptor for TSH, result in hyperthyroidism (characterized ... it burns) and goiter. Signals downstream of the receptor for TSH had been thought to be mediated mainly by a protein complex known as Gs. But now, a study th...Study finds gender differences in renal and other genes contributing to blood pressure
...ic variants of the b1-adrenergic and 2A adrenergic receptor genes contributed to blood pressure (BP) variation in females while variants at the 2 adrenergic receptor and angiotensinogen genes contributed to BP variation in males. Conclusion The researchers lev...Weizmann Institute scientists discover a control mechanism for metastasis
...d differentiation. The growth factor attaches to a receptor on the cell wall, initiating a sequence of changes in the cellular structure. The cells internal skeleton an assembly of densely-packed protein fibers comes apart and the protein fibers then form thin threads on the outside of the cell membrane tha...Inflammation may cause preterm labor and fetal deaths
...using synthetic TLR4 antagonist that prevented the receptor from sensing the bacteria. Fusobacterium nucleatum, a common oral pathogen also found in the amniotic fluid of preterm babies, was used as the model organism for the study. Around day 16 of the gestation period for the mice (the equivalent of the...News tips from the Journal of Neuroscience
...a. The complement cascade culminates in C5 and C5a receptor (C5aR) activation and formation of the membrane at...in. C5a increased cold pain sensitivity, and a C5a receptor antagonist blocked this effect, consistent with a role for C5a in neuropathic pain....Gene variant is associated with brain anatomy, clinical course of ADHD
A variant of the dopamine receptor gene may be associated with attention-deficit/hype... polymorphism or different type of the dopamine D4 receptor gene (DRD4) known as the 7-repeat form. Previous studies have suggested that carriers of the risk al...Gene predicts better outcome as cortex normalizes in teens with ADHD
...ADHD-implicated version of a gene that codes for a receptor protein that binds to the brain chemical messenger dopamine. This version of the dopamine D4 receptor gene, called the 7-repeat variant, accounts for about 30 percent of the genetic risk for ADHD, makin...Disabling a sensory organ prompts female mice to act like male mice
...e nasal cavity of many animals that is packed with receptor cells. It is the key detector of pheromones, chemical signals that elicit specific behavioral responses in certain animals, including mice. The researchers found that female mice whose vomeronasal organs were genetically disabled behaved like males...Success or failure of antidepressant citalopram predicted by gene variation
...validity. The protein produced by HTR2A acts as a receptor on brain cells for the chemical messenger serotoni...s system. But GRIK4 makes a protein that acts as a receptor in a different neurotransmitter system, the glutamate system. Recent studies suggest that the glutam...Marijuana component opens the door for virus that causes Kaposi's sarcoma
...d that THC also promotes the production of a viral receptor similar to one that attracts a cell-signaling prot...terleukin-8. Previous studies have noted that this receptor could trigger the cell to reproduce, causing Kaposis sarcoma-like lesions in mice. Indeed, the resea...JCI table of contents: August 1, 2007
...propriate localization prevents EGF activating its receptor and thereby increasing the expression of a protein...er who receive treatment with an antagonist of the receptor for EGF also develop hypomagnesemia. As noted by Shmuel Muallem and Orson W. Moe in an accompanying ...Research teams uncover risk genes for multiple sclerosis
...uses on one variant in a gene called interleukin-7 receptor (IL-7R), which researchers had thought was connect... MS pathogenesis, Hauser said. I believe that this receptor and its interaction with regulatory T cells will now become a major focus of research on MS. The ...News tips from the Journal of Neuroscience
...ing a leak potassium channel or by inhibiting AMPA receptor trafficking. In both cases, there was a compensatory increase in membrane excitability as a result of increased amplitude of voltage-gated sodium currents. From Ribbon Synapses to Spike Trains Peter Heil, Heinrich Neubauer, Dexter R. F. Irvine...First new multiple sclerosis gene found in 30 years
...nvolved in guiding the production of interleukin-7 receptor alpha (IL-7R), which is a critical receptor for the development and growth of key immune system cells. Gregory said that as research builds up...Risk genes for multiple sclerosis uncovered
...is finding, and explore how the change in the IL-7 receptor affects the immune system. I believe that this receptor and its interaction with regulatory T cells will now become a major focus of research on MS, says St...A friendly foe -- Bacteria residing in the gut boost immune response to tumors
...ession. This effect was found to involve toll-like receptor 4. Conversely, a reduction in the number of host microorganisms by the use of antibiotics reduced the beneficial effects of TBI on tumor regression in these animals. In summary, the results of the study demonstrate that the disruption of the host/mic...