In the current issue of "Nature", a study suggests that a chemical inhibitor of CRP (C-reactive protein) is able to protect
cardiovascular system, and treat cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study reports a novel CRP inhibitor and provides a strong support that CRP contributes the pathogenesis of CVDs. CRP was shown to cause leptin resistance recently in a study in Nature Medicine (IRIG post on 4/6/06).

In the "Nature Cell Biology", there are two interesting papers. The first study reports a new signaling molecule for adiponectin receptor. This is an adaptor protein by the name of APPL1 that interacts with adiponectin receptor and mediates signals of the receptor. Adiponectin induces recruitment of APPL1 to the receptor, and inhibitionof APPL1 blocks the signaling pathway of adiponnectin.

The second study reports that the transcription factor STAT5 is involved in insulin secretion in beta-cells. The study provides moecular connection for synergy between glucose and growth hormone in theregulation of insulin secretion. STAT5 mediates growth hormone signals.

Attached are PDF files of the these papers above.

By Jianping at PBRC
--------------------------------------------------

Jianping Ye, MD
Associate Professor
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 763-3163
Fax: (225) 763-2525
E-mail: yej@pbrc.edu