Current Enzyme Inhibition - Volume 5, Issue 1, 2009

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer in the world. If detected at an early stage, treatment often might lead to cure. Of course prevention is better than cure. Epidemiological studies reveal that having a healthy diet often protects from CRC development. An important consideration in evaluating new drugs and devices is determining whether a product can effectively treat a targeted disease. There are Read More

Dopamine β-monooxygenase (DBM) catalyses the conversion of dopamine to norepinephrine in the catecholamine biosynthetic pathway. The substrate specificity of DBM is wide and the enzyme is capable of performing a variety of oxidations. While the crystal structure of DBM is not yet available, various indirect data allow insight into the enzyme's machinery. Considered an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment Read More

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a microvascular complication of diabetes that is characterized by proteinuria, glomerulosclerosis, and decreased kidney function ultimately leading to end stage renal disease; in fact, DN is the leading cause of end stage renal disease in the western world. Glycemic and blood pressure control are currently the most common forms of prevention and treatment of the disease. However, despi Read More

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) constitutes an integrator of multiple signals and a master programmer of pivotal cellular functions such as cell growth and proliferation. Due to its complex function, it plays a substantial role in homeostasis at molecular, cellular, tissue and organism level and its aberrant activation is implicated in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. mTOR signaling depends on a number Read More