Targets and Mechanisms

Proteasome progress

by Lev Osherovich, Senior Writer

Published online June 25 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.996

Researchers at Proteolix have found a small molecule that inhibits a subunit of the proteasome involved in immune cell activation. The compound's profile could make it suitable for autoimmune indications, an area previously off-limits to general proteasome inhibitors because of toxicity concerns.

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Distillery: Therapeutics

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)

Proteasome prosome macropain subunit- type 8 (PSMB8; LMP7)

Published online June 25 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.997

Cell culture and mouse studies suggest that inhibiting LMP7 could be useful for treating RA.

Summary - Proteasome prosome macropain subunit- type 8 (PSMB8; LMP7) | PDF (114 KB) - Proteasome prosome macropain subunit- type 8 (PSMB8; LMP7)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) receptor EP4 subtype (prostanoid EP4 receptor) (PTGER4)

Published online June 18 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.966

A study in cell culture and in mice suggests that antagonizing PTGER4 could be useful for treating MS.

Summary - Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP4 subtype (prostanoid EP4 receptor) (PTGER4) | PDF (108 KB) - Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor EP4 subtype (prostanoid EP4 receptor) (PTGER4)

Distillery: Therapeutics

Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A); interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8); CD6

Published online June 18 2009; doi:10.1038/scibx.2009.967

A genomewide association study identified three susceptibility loci for MS that could help identify new therapeutic targets.

Summary - Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A); interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8); CD6 | PDF (110 KB) - Tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1A); interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8); CD6