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Wise Young
08-17-2005, 05:51 PM
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2002/03/020313075318.htm

Source:
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Date:
2005-08-17

Sticky Mutant Proteins Implicated In Lou Gehrig's Disease

Bethesda, MD -- A new study indicates that mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) enzymes that are associated with an inherited form of Lou Gehrig's disease cause the protein to become sticky in tissues. Partial unfolding of the mutant protein can expose hydrophobic residues that may promote abnormal interactions with other proteins or membranes in the cell.

The research appears as the "Paper of the Week" in the August 19 issue of the Journal of Biological Chemistry, an American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology journal.

Over 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease each year. About 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time, and 10% of cases are inherited.