XML Feed for RxPG News   Add RxPG News Headlines to My Yahoo!   Javascript Syndication for RxPG News

Research Health World General
 
  Home
 
 Latest Research
 Cancer
 Psychiatry
 Genetics
 Surgery
 Aging
 Ophthalmology
 Gynaecology
 Neurosciences
 Pharmacology
 Cardiology
 Obstetrics
 Infectious Diseases
 Respiratory Medicine
 Pathology
 Endocrinology
 Immunology
 Nephrology
 Gastroenterology
 Biotechnology
 Radiology
 Dermatology
 Microbiology
 Haematology
 Dental
 ENT
 Environment
 Embryology
 Orthopedics
  Osteoporosis
  Osteomyelitis
 Metabolism
 Anaethesia
 Paediatrics
 Public Health
 Urology
 Musculoskeletal
 Clinical Trials
 Physiology
 Biochemistry
 Cytology
 Traumatology
 Rheumatology
 
 Medical News
 Health
 Opinion
 Healthcare
 Professionals
 Launch
 Awards & Prizes
 
 Careers
 Medical
 Nursing
 Dental
 
 Special Topics
 Euthanasia
 Ethics
 Evolution
 Odd Medical News
 Feature
 
 World News
 Tsunami
 Epidemics
 Climate
 Business
 
 India
Search

Last Updated: Nov 18, 2006 - 12:32:53 PM

Osteoporosis Channel
subscribe to Osteoporosis newsletter

Latest Research : Orthopedics : Osteoporosis

   DISCUSS   |   EMAIL   |   PRINT
Modifying NFATc1 Triggers Bone Production
Oct 8, 2006 - 4:48:00 PM, Reviewed by: Dr. Himanshu Tyagi

The researchers found that they could tip the balance by modifying the structure of a protein called NFATc1.

 
Scientists in the US have found a way to trigger bone production, raising hopes of treatment for osteoporosis in humans.

Gerald Crabtree and colleagues at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Maryland, found that they could massively increase bone mass in mice by tweaking the structure of a protein in the body.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones become fragile and are prone to fractures.

In vertebrates, bone is constantly being formed and broken down throughout life. Cells called osteoclasts continuously degrade bone while cells called osteoblasts replenish it, reported the online edition of BBC News.

In an ideal situation, the two types of cells are perfectly balanced, allowing the bone to maintain bone mass. However, if the balance is upset and more bone is destroyed than formed it can lead to osteoporosis.

The researchers found that they could tip the balance by modifying the structure of a protein called NFATc1.

They modified NFATc1 in mice so it could move more easily into the command centre of cells, and thus become a little more active than usual. This triggered the production of large amounts of new bone, the researchers said.

'It could potentially be possible to develop new drugs to treat osteoporosis by recreating the same effect,' Crabtree said.

The researchers are hopeful that the risk of side effects would be minimal because only small modifications to NFATc1 were required to produce a profound effect.
 

- Indo Asian News Service
 

 
Subscribe to Osteoporosis Newsletter
E-mail Address:

 



Related Osteoporosis News

Modifying NFATc1 Triggers Bone Production
'Magic formula' accurately predicts fracture risk in osteoporotic women
Calcium supplements fail to prevent bone fractures in children
Estrens might not be the answer for osteoporosis
Increasing NFATc1 activity causes massive bone accumulation
Second-Hand Smoke, First-Hand Problem
Low carbohydrate diet did not increase bone loss
Growing body of research links lead to osteoporosis
GENOMOS: Weak Links found between COL1A1 Polymorphism, BMD, and Fracture Risk
Denosumab may show promise in the treatment of osteoporosis


For any corrections of factual information, to contact the editors or to send any medical news or health news press releases, use feedback form

Top of Page

 

© Copyright 2004 onwards by RxPG Medical Solutions Private Limited
Contact Us