New Tool to Dissect 'Undruggable' Proteins Through the Sugars They Depend on
Published:17 Mar.2021 Source:Harvard University
Researchers have developed a new tool to study 'undruggable' proteins through the sugars they depend on. Almost 85 percent of proteins, including those associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, inflammation, and certain cancers, are beyond the reach of current drugs. Now, with a new pencil/eraser tool, researchers can start to study how sugar molecules affect these proteins, insights that could lead to new treatments for the 'undruggable.'
Sugar has been called "evil," "toxic," and "poison." But the body needs sugars, too. Sugar molecules help cells recognize and fight viruses and bacteria, shuttle proteins from cell to cell, and make sure those proteins function. Too much or too little can contribute to a range of maladies, including neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, inflammation, diabetes, and even cancer.