Current Pharmaceutical Design - Volume 6, Issue 1, 2000

Cathepsin K, a cysteine protease of the papain family, was identified by sequencing complementary DNA libraries derived from osteoclasts. Cathepsin K can cleave bone proteins such as Type I collagen, osteopontin, and osteonectin. The localization and maturation of cathepsin K in activated osteoclasts have been characterized. Furthermore, mutation of the gene expressing cathepsin K in humans results in pycnody Read More

Synthetic retinoids, ligands for the RAR and RXR members of the steroid/thyroid superfamily of nuclear hormone receptors, are used for the treatment of psoriasis, acne, photoaging and cancer. Retinoid mechanisms of action for these conditions largely involve effects on epithelial differentiation and modulation of inflammation with some impact on the immune system. Retinoid medicinal chemistry in recent years h Read More

SH2 domains are discrete structural motifs common to a variety of critical intracellular signaling proteins. Inhibitors of specific SH2 domains have become important therapeutic targets in the treatment and/or prevention of restenosis, cancers (including small cell lung), cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, apoptosis among others. Considering the social and economic impact of these diseases significant attention has been focu Read More

The paper deals with the most important items regarding the improvement of quality of experimental procedures when testing drug effects on behaviour and development of commonly-used rodent species. Current-used test procedures for immature and adult rodents exposed early developmentally are briefly described and recent advances and difficulties in their hands-on interpretation are highlighted. Comparabilit Read More