Studeo
23rd June 2010, 21:27
Insight Into Cells Could Lead to New Approach to Medicines
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100621215952.htm
ScienceDaily (June 21, 2010) — A surprising discovery about the
complex make-up of our cells could lead to the development of new
types of medicines, a study suggests.
Scientists studying interactions between cell proteins -- which enable
the cells in our bodies to function -- have shown that proteins
communicate not by a series of simple one-to-one communications, but
by a complex network of chemical messages.
The findings suggest that medicines would be more effective if they
were designed differently. Drugs could have a greater effect on cell
function by targeting groups of proteins working together, rather than
individual proteins.
Results were obtained by studying yeast, which has many corresponding
proteins in human cells. Researchers, including scientists from the
University of Edinburgh, used advanced technology to identify hundreds
of different proteins, and then used statistical analysis to identify
the more important links between them, mapping almost 2000 connections
in all.
Scientists expected to find simple links between individual proteins
but were surprised to find that proteins were inter-connected in a
complex web.
Dr Victor Neduva, of the University of Edinburgh, who took part in the
study, said: "Our studies have revealed an intricate network of
proteins within cells that is much more complex than we previously
thought. This suggests that drugs should be more complex to treat
illnesses effectively.
Professor Mike Tyers, who led the study, said: "Medicines could work
better if they targeted networks of proteins rather than sole proteins
associated with particular illnesses."
The research, published in Science, carried out in collaboration with
Mount Sinai Hospital, Ontario and the Universities of Michigan and
Toronto, was supported by the Royal Society and the Scottish
Universities Life Sciences Alliance.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/06/100621215952.htm
ScienceDaily (June 21, 2010) — A surprising discovery about the
complex make-up of our cells could lead to the development of new
types of medicines, a study suggests.
Scientists studying interactions between cell proteins -- which enable
the cells in our bodies to function -- have shown that proteins
communicate not by a series of simple one-to-one communications, but
by a complex network of chemical messages.
The findings suggest that medicines would be more effective if they
were designed differently. Drugs could have a greater effect on cell
function by targeting groups of proteins working together, rather than
individual proteins.
Results were obtained by studying yeast, which has many corresponding
proteins in human cells. Researchers, including scientists from the
University of Edinburgh, used advanced technology to identify hundreds
of different proteins, and then used statistical analysis to identify
the more important links between them, mapping almost 2000 connections
in all.
Scientists expected to find simple links between individual proteins
but were surprised to find that proteins were inter-connected in a
complex web.
Dr Victor Neduva, of the University of Edinburgh, who took part in the
study, said: "Our studies have revealed an intricate network of
proteins within cells that is much more complex than we previously
thought. This suggests that drugs should be more complex to treat
illnesses effectively.
Professor Mike Tyers, who led the study, said: "Medicines could work
better if they targeted networks of proteins rather than sole proteins
associated with particular illnesses."
The research, published in Science, carried out in collaboration with
Mount Sinai Hospital, Ontario and the Universities of Michigan and
Toronto, was supported by the Royal Society and the Scottish
Universities Life Sciences Alliance.