Everyone remembers the kid in class who wouldn’t stop talking long enough to know the lunch bell rang. Or the bad dinner date that wouldn’t shut up about their cat. And you being you, were too nice to fake an emergency phone call and get the hell outta dodge.
Anyways, the chatty kid and the bad date may have something in common with the latest cystic fibrosis findings, according to researchers.
Recent studies and tests have confirmed that a mutant protein is responsible for the majority of cystic fibrosis cases.
In essence, the mutant protein is so busy “talking” to the “wrong cellular neighbors” that it’s unable to function properly and is prematurely degraded.
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease. It can be life-threatening, and over time, limits the ability to breathe. Persistent lung infections plague its patients because of the buildup of thick mucus in the lungs, pancreas, and other organs.
According to the study, which was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, researchers believe that if they’re able to remove the “chatter” between the mutant protein and the “wrong cellular neighbors,” they could, to some degree, restore the protein’s normal function.
The hope is that one day, therapies could be developed to cure cystic fibrosis by getting at the root cause instead of just treating the symptoms.
The next step, they say, will be finding drug candidates that could target the disruptive proteins.
“The proteins and the interactions we’ve identified really fuel the pipeline for new drug targets to treat cystic fibrosis,”
said Casimir Bamberger, a research associate and co-author of this study with staff scientist Sandra Pankow.
Here’s hoping we’re one step closer to a cure!
What are your thoughts on the newest cystic fibrosis research? This month, PatientWorthy is teaming up with CysticLife.org to spread awareness of CF and support their collaboration with the Mayo Clinic for a community-driven research project investigating the benefits of exercise for CF patients. If you’re interested in contributing to the fund or want to become a CysticLife member, drop by CysticLife.org or donate here today! Don’t forget to share this post!
