Current Genomics - Volume 4, Issue 3, 2003

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in today's society. Heart transplantation is the only available treatment for patients suffering from end-stage congestive heart failure (CHF). Causes underlying the development of CHF are still unknown, but it has been suggested that proinflammatory cytokines play an important role.In the context of transplantation, proinflammatory T-helper 1 cytokines like TNF-α Read More

For historical reasons, bioinformatics has been focused on the analysis of coding sequences. Genome annotation mainly consists in the localization of putative open reading frames, and assignment of a function to their product. Non-coding sequences are, however, an essential part of the information contained in a genome. In particular, these sequences mediate transcriptional regulation, which is crucial to many aspects o Read More

While a gene family by definition will have homologies in sequence, the “functional genomics” or characterization of the functionality of siblings can reveal significant differences. One gene family that shares an ATPbinding cassette (ABC) sequence motif is comprised of members named “ABC Transporters.” Until 1989, the members of this family were primarily ATPases that pumped compounds out of cells and many were linke Read More

RNA trafficking within the cell represents an important component of gene expression in a variety of organisms. This process directs RNA to select regions of the cell and has functional consequences to cell physiology and function. Intranuclear RNA trafficking can also influence RNA maturation including 5'- and 3'-end-processing, splicing and nuclear export. Within the cytosol, RNA trafficking influences the localization and levels Read More

Whole genome sequences of microbial pathogens present new opportunities for clinical application. Presently, genome sequencing of the human protozoan parasite Leishmania major is in progress. The driving forces behind the genome project are to identify genes with key cellular functions and new drug targets, to increase knowledge on mechanisms of drug resistance and to favor technology transfer to scientists from end Read More

Paramyxoviruses are enveloped viruses containing a non-segmented negative strand RNA genome, and many of them are associated with traditional diseases of childhood and severe disease of humans and animals. In the last two decades, previously unidentified paramyxoviruses have emerged as the cause of serious disease outbreaks in a number of animal species including humans. Hendra and Nipah viruses which re Read More

Currently rational drug design is limited to using protein targets in the design and production of therapeutic agents. However, many genetic and infectious diseases may not be adequately treated with this approach. In these circumstances the DNA sequence of an offending gene is itself a potential target for rational drug development. Genetargeted therapeutic strategies require the development of ligands that can recogn Read More