Sunday November 22 2009 | Biotechnology feed | All feeds
|
|
Sunday November 22 2009 | Biotechnology feed | All feeds
|
|
|
Chromatin methylation: An approach to gene silencing The drive to develop improved treatments of cancer has resulted in the birth of a number of highly exciting therapeutic field, apoptosis and angiogenesis offering just two recent examples. The field of histone deacetylation represents one of the most recent therapeutic targets to fall under the oncology spotlight. This field centers on the now generally accepted view that chromatin structure is plastic and that histone (de)acetylation regulates genome structure and hence transcription. Modifying this process by histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors can therefore regulate, potentially in a highly specific manner, transcription thereby offering a much more targeted approach to cytostasis than currently available. Information relating to histone deacetylation is emerging with breathtaking rapidity with over 1 new article currently being published every day. In response to this activity we recently published one of the most comprehensive overview of the pharmaceutical potential of HDAC inhibitors to date ("Histone deacetylase inhibitors: Redefining pharmaceutical approaches to the treatment of cancer"). In this edition of TherapeuticAdvances we introduce another approach to modifying chromatin structure, methylation. Aberrant methylation patterns have been reported in an increasing number of tumor suppressor and DNA repair genes determining carcinogenetic transformation. On the other hand, methyl-DNA binding recruits co-repressor complexes and modifies the structure of the chromatin to produce a transcriptionally silenced state. Although this field has seen rapid progress in recent years, detailed mechanisms by which this machinery modifies chromatin structure to its appropriate state and the specific targeting of repressor complexes have yet to be resolved. Clicking the link below will take you a recent article describing some of the more recent developments in this area.
Interested in collaborating with this group? Contact leaddiscovery@bioportfolio.co.uk LeadDiscovery and BioPortfolio aims to provide reliable, insightful analysis on the biotechnology industry. However, this information is provided "as is" and no representations or warranties either express or implied of completeness, accuracy, or of any other nature are made with respect to this information. This information is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy the securities of any company. This information contains forward-looking statements, which involve risks and uncertainties which may not be listed. The biotechnology industry is an emerging industry and the securities of the companies mentioned in this report have a very high degree of risk and volatility. For this reason, this information is supplied on the condition that the reader will make his or her own determination as to its suitability for any purpose prior to any use of this information. The employees and officers of LeadDiscovery and BioPortfolio may hold positions in some or all of the stocks discussed in this report. This abstract has been produced by LeadDiscovery Ltd. Founded by life scientists for life scientists we aim to help industry identify cutting edge drug discovery options and academic/biotech institutions maximize the potential of their research. Abstracts strictly reflect the opinion of LeadDiscovery's editorial panel. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure the accuracy of information provided LeadDiscovery and the publisher BioPortfolio, takes no responsibility for incorrect or misleading information. LeadDiscovery is designed for educational and drug development purposes only and is not intended or designed to offer medical advice or advice of any sort, and must not be used for such purpose. The information provided through LeadDiscovery and BioPortfolio should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease and no reliance should be placed on any information contained in this abstract or elsewhere on LeadDiscovery's and BioPortfolio's website. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your physician or other health care provider. |
|
|
