Small Protein, Big Impact: Microprotein Discovery Offers Hope for Obesity and Aging

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Researchers have uncovered a tiny but powerful protein that helps keep our cells’ energy factories humming – a discovery that could spark new approaches to tackling obesity and age-related decline. Scientists at the Salk Institute in La Jolla found that a  “microprotein”  in mouse fat cells plays a critical role in maintaining healthy  mitochondria , the structures that generate energy in our cells. By preserving mitochondrial function, this diminutive protein helps cells burn fuel efficiently, which in turn could influence body weight and the aging process. The findings shine light on how molecular biology connects to everyday health, opening the door to  science-backed strategies for better metabolism and longevity. Mature brown fat cells from a mouse, with the newly discovered microprotein shown in red inside mitochondria (green) and nuclei in blue. This tiny protein helps preserve mitochondrial health under stress. (Credit: Salk Institute) Mighty Mitochondria in ...

DNA based vaccination against chronic hepatitis C

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The first-proof-of-concept for a DNA-based therapeutic vaccination against chronic hepatitis C was announced April 23 at EASL 2009, the Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of the Liver in Copenhagen, Denmark. n the first clinical trial of a therapeutic vaccination using naked DNA delivered by in vivo electroporation (EP), antiviral effects were shown in patients with hepatitis C (HCV). Researchers hope that this will encourage further clinical development. The data also provide further evidence for the antiviral role of the HCV-specific T cell response.

It is estimated that some 3% of the world's population is infected with HCV. In industrialised countries, hepatitis C accounts for 70% of chronic hepatitis cases. One of the main concerns is that HCV infection remains asymptomatic until advanced stages of the disease.

Clearance of HCV infection correlates with activation of the host T cell response. Therefore, in this study, researchers developed a T cell vaccine based on a codon-optimised HCV non-structural (NS) 3/4A DNA-gene expressed under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate-early promoter (ChronVac-C®) delivered by in vivo electroporation (EP). A first phase I/IIa clinical trial in HCV infected patients is currently ongoing.

Professor Matti Sallberg of Laboratory Medicine, the Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden, who led the study, said: "In 50-80% of adult cases, the immune system fails to eliminate the HCV virus and the disease becomes chronic. Given that only about 50% of HCV infected persons are diagnosed in most developed countries and that two-thirds need to undergo antiviral treatment, this new vaccination has huge implications in terms of the future management of this widespread disease."

In this study, a volume of 0.5 ml saline containing ChronVac-C® DNA was injected at 1 cm depth in the deltoid muscle. This was followed by two 60ms electrical pulses administered using a 1.5 cm four-electrode array (Medpulser DDS; Inovio, CA, US). The study aims were safety, immunogenicity, and effects on the viral load. Twelve treatment naive patients infected with HCV genotype 1 and a viral load <800,000>10 weeks. Of these, three had activations of the HCV-specific T cell responses at the time of the reductions in the viral load.
Source: European Association for the Study of the Liver.

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kaly said…
I was passing over the blogs, i found this one to be most suitable for me...thanks for the post,,,
April 29, 2009 at 9:07 AM
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