(Journal of Clinical Investigation) This release contains summaries, links to PDFs, and contact information for the following newsworthy papers to be published online, Jan. 9, 2012, in the JCI: Genetic and mechanistic basis for rotor syndrome uncovered; New gene, new mechanism for neuron loss in hereditary spastic paraplegias; KRAS provides maintenance for pancreatic cancer; Potential new therapeutic target for chronic myelogenous leukemia?; Integrin integral to airway narrowing; and others.

(Northwestern University) Two related studies from Northwestern University offer new strategies for tackling the challenges of preventing and treating diseases of protein folding, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, ALS, cystic fibrosis, cancer and type 2 diabetes. The research identifies new genes and pathways that prevent protein misfolding and toxic aggregation, keeping cells healthy, and also identifies small molecules with therapeutic potential that restore health to damaged cells, providing new targets for drug development.

(Northwestern University) Two related studies from Northwestern University offer new strategies for tackling the challenges of preventing and treating diseases of protein folding, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, ALS, cystic fibrosis, cancer and type 2 diabetes. The research identifies new genes and pathways that prevent protein misfolding and toxic aggregation, keeping cells healthy, and also identifies small molecules with therapeutic potential that restore health to damaged cells, providing new targets for drug development.

(Northwestern University) Two related studies from Northwestern University offer new strategies for tackling the challenges of preventing and treating diseases of protein folding, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases, ALS, cystic fibrosis, cancer and type 2 diabetes. The research identifies new genes and pathways that prevent protein misfolding and toxic aggregation, keeping cells healthy, and also identifies small molecules with therapeutic potential that restore health to damaged cells, providing new targets for drug development.

(Weizmann Institute of Science) Weizmann Institute scientists “trick” the body into blocking an enzyme that is active in autoimmune disease and cancer.

(Journal of Clinical Investigation) This release contains summaries, links to PDFs, and contact information for papers to be published Dec. 27, 2011, in the JCI: Another potential obstacle to developing an HIV vaccine; How obesity alters the brain area involved in body weight control; Beneficial or not beneficial: that is the question for IL-1 inhibition in atherosclerosis; Stopping the HuR(t) of inflammation-induced cancer; and Withstanding high pressure: a key role in the kidney for the protein CD151; and others.

(DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Armed with a new ability to find retinal anomalies at the cellular level, neurobiologists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have made a discovery they hope will ultimately lead to a treatment for cancer of the retina.

(Weizmann Institute of Science) Weizmann Institute scientists “trick” the body into blocking an enzyme that is active in autoimmune disease and cancer.

(DOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory) Armed with a new ability to find retinal anomalies at the cellular level, neurobiologists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have made a discovery they hope will ultimately lead to a treatment for cancer of the retina.

(Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute) Researchers at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute of Mount Sinai Hospital have uncovered the detailed architecture of a crucial component of Tankyrase, a protein linked to the bone development disorder cherubism and involved in a myriad of cellular processes. The discovery is the first structural insight into precisely how the enzyme correctly identifies its targets, or substrates. The work provides researchers with a greater understanding of Tankyrase’s cellular control processes, and may also lead to the development of new designer drugs to treat cancer.