Nuclear receptors reveal possible interventions for cancer, obesity

UH's Jan-Ake Gustafsson publishes key findings in 2 high-impact journals

2011-01-11

(Press-News.org) HOUSTON, Jan. 10, 2011 – Research with significant implications in the treatment and intervention of cancer and obesity has been published recently in two prestigious journals by University of Houston (UH) biochemist Dr. Jan-Åke Gustafsson.

In an invited review in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, the most-cited biomedical research journal in the world, Gustafsson and his team summarize the most recent results pertaining to the function of a nuclear receptor called estrogen receptor beta, or ERbeta, the biological and medical importance of which Gustafsson and his associates discovered in 1995. In the article, titled "Estrogen Signaling via Estrogen Receptor Beta," the group found that this regulatory molecule prevents what is called epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, or EMT, in the prostate gland. EMT is believed to have an essential role in prostate tumor development. ERbeta also has a growth-suppressive effect in colon cancer cells.

All of this, added to new insights gained by the researchers regarding ERbeta's interaction with certain genetic materials, suggests that this molecule is potentially an interesting pharmaceutical target in many diseases, including cancer.

A second article by Gustafsson and his group appeared in a recent issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, one of the world's most-cited multidisciplinary scientific serials. Titled "Both liver-X receptor (LXR) isoforms control energy expenditure by regulating Brown Adipose Tissue activity," the research shows that two specific nuclear receptors – LXRalfa and LXRbeta – act in such a way as to indicate they have a crucial role in regulating energy homeostasis, which is important to maintain the stability of normal biological states during adjustments to environmental changes. Gustafsson suggests, then, that these molecules should be considered as targets in pharmaceutical intervention against obesity.

Both studies were performed in collaboration with Gustafsson's colleagues from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, where he continues his duties as a member of the Center for Biotechnology at Huddinge University Hospital at the Karolinska Institute. He also holds an appointment as an adjunct professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. Since 2009, his primary duties are as the Robert A. Welch Professor in UH's biology and biochemistry department and director of the Center for Nuclear Receptors and Cell Signaling, a collaborative effort between UH and The Methodist Hospital Research Institute.

In addition to holding both a Ph.D. and M.D., Gustafsson was recently invited by the University of Turku in Finland to accept an honorary doctorate from its faculty of medicine during the institution's graduation ceremony to be held in May.

INFORMATION:

NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: High-resolution photos of Jan-Åke Gustafsson are available to media by contacting Lisa Merkl.

About the University of Houston

The University of Houston is a comprehensive national research institution serving the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast Region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. UH serves more than 38,500 students in the nation's fourth-largest city, located in the most ethnically and culturally diverse region of the country.

About the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

The UH College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, with 181 ranked faculty and approximately 4,500 students, offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in the natural sciences, computational sciences and mathematics. Faculty members in the departments of biology and biochemistry, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric sciences, mathematics and physics conduct internationally recognized research in collaboration with industry, Texas Medical Center institutions, NASA and others worldwide.

For more information about UH, visit the university's Newsroom at http://www.uh.edu/news-events/.

To receive UH science news via e-mail, sign up for UH-SciNews at http://www.uh.edu/news-events/mailing-lists/sciencelistserv/index.php.

For additional news alerts about UH, follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/UHNewsEvents and Twitter at http://twitter.com/UH_News.

[Attachments] See images for this press release:

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

CT helps identify bullet trajectories

2011-01-11

OAK BROOK, Ill. – Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) provides an efficient, effective way to analyze wounds from bullets and explosive devices, according to a study published online and in the March issue of Radiology. "The information provided by MDCT has the potential to improve patient care and aid in both military and civilian forensic investigations," said the study's lead author, Les R. Folio, D.O., M.P.H., from the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Md. U.S. troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan face threats from increased sniper activity and ...

Shellfish safer to eat thanks to breakthrough by Queen's scientists

2011-01-11

New technology to make shellfish safer to eat has been pioneered by scientists at Queen's University Belfast. The new test, developed at Queen's Institute for Agri-Food and Land Use, not only ensures shellfish are free of toxins before they reach the food chain but is likely to revolutionise the global fishing industry. While the current process for monitoring potentially dangerous toxins in shellfish takes up to two days, the new test slashes the testing time to just 30 minutes using new biosensor technology and provides a much more reliable result. The test detects ...

A Resolution You Can Keep -- Bay Area Hypnotherapy of San Francisco Challenges You to Succeed in 2011

2011-01-11

Jim and Lynn Swearingen, Co-Founders of Bay Area Hypnotherapy in San Francisco, want to give you a resolution you can keep! "During the months of January and February", said Lynn, "we are offering a $65 coupon for your first Hypnotherapy session, good toward any goal you wish to achieve. This is a whopping $30 off our usual price for an individual session. We're passing this savings on to you because we want everyone to discover what a powerful part their subconscious plays in directing their lives. We can teach you how to use self-hypnosis to achieve lasting change and, ...

Century 21 All Islands Hawaii Real Estate Agent, Oleg Potemkin, Attends Special Training, Builds Expertise in Luxury Real Estate Market.

2011-01-11

Hawaii real estate agent, Oleg Potemkin with CENTURY 21 All Islands, recently completed a luxury home marketing training course offered by the Institute for Luxury Home Marketing. The course - which covered such topics as demographics of the affluent, lifestyle segmentation, trends and amenities in today's luxury home product, and creating a marketing plan for the multimillion dollar property - was taught by Laurie Moore-Moore, President of the Dallas-based Institute for Luxury Home Marketing and author of the book, Rich Buyer, Rich Seller! The Real Estate Agents' Guide ...

Benefits of Public Bank Gold Investment - Eldora - Gold Bullion Resources

2011-01-11

It is important to research and evaluate each of the gold investment companies under consideration. There are many gold investment scams, fraud, boiler rooms that you should watch for, this will serve as a good warning before investing and only use gold options and companies that are verified, and have a good business reputation. This will minimize the risk of falling prey to any boiler rooms, scams or frauds. Gold stock investments are often included in the portfolio of investment companies which specialize in gold and other precious metals. Because the gold investment ...

Canadian Author Launches Murder Mystery Series

2011-01-11

A totally new mystery series is born! In the likeness of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and Hercule Poroit; Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes; Patricia Cornwall's Dr. Kay Scarpetta; Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason; Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer and Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe, emerges a Toronto based, contemporary and powerful international business baron turned sleuth by using his resources and connections: Introducing Faison Quay in "Triple Mayhem", a murder mystery trilogy of the series first three novels: 'Now That I'm Gone', 'In The Absence Of Passion' and 'Narcissus' Reflection'. ...

Get Great Deals on Used Engines for Sale and the Right Places to Find Them

2011-01-11

Many car owners usually dread having to buy an engine as they are usually too expensive which causes financial strain on the individuals. The sad fact is that without it, one cannot be able to operate the car rendering it useless. However, one does not have to worry as (http://www.icarenginesforsale.com/discount-used-engines-sale.htm) Used Engines for Sale comes in to save the day by offering individuals the opportunity to benefit from discounted used engines that have been put up for sale. This helps an individual to save money and get their vehicles up and running without ...

Hottest Fat Burning Foods to Turbocharge Your Metabolism? New Diet Solution Uncovers All!

2011-01-11

Isabel De Los Rios is a food nutrition and exercise specialist with over a decade of expertise helping people accomplish their ideal weight and tackle problems which includes diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high-cholesterol. Rios acquired a pre-med degree in exercise physiology from Rutgers University and is a professional Holistic Nutrition Lifestyle Coach. Her all natural, scientifically based Diet Solution Program has helped more than 50,000 people lose weight permanently simply by focusing on healthy, metabolism-boosting foods. Dieters eager to kick start ...

Budget Self Storage Launches Exclusive Fifty Fifty Offers

2011-01-11

The Budget Self Storage of Hillsborough Drive features exclusive Internet deals, promoting fifty percent off any storage unit or fifty dollars for a particular unit. These offers are exclusively online at: http://www.budgetselfstorageflorida.com/tampa-self-storage-facilities.shtml The coupon for the Tampa Self Storage facility on W. Hillsborough Drive offers fifty percent off any unit of any size for the first month. Customers may find a real bargain with this online coupon if they have items that need to be stored in either climate controlled or standard units. In ...

Sooner Copy Machines and John Miller Receive the Norman Public Schools Community Partner Certficate

2011-01-11

John Miller and Sooner Copy Machines proudly give back to the community. SCM received the Norman Public Schools community partner certificate, accepted by John Miller at their annual board meeting. Sooner Copy Machines has donated to Norman Public Schools basketball, football and baseball teams to support their success. Sooner Copy Machines has also donated to United Way of Norman, American Red Cross, Norman Rotary Club, Le Tour De Vin, Norman Regional Hospital Foundation and Mary Abbot's Children's Home. For the last 5 years the company has attended the OU basketball ...

Nuclear receptors reveal possible interventions for cancer, obesity

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: