Yes, apparently they too study "proteins," which are controlled by "genes." <g>
"Proteins made by biotech companies such as hormones or growth factors, et cetera, contain these signals," he said.
One example is Human Genome Sciences Inc. <HGSI.O>, which searches through the human genome, the collection of all genes, looking for genes that control potentially useful proteins.
Dr. William Haseltine, chief executive officer of HGS, said the signals identified by Blobel are more than just addresses -- they make sure that proteins get to where they are supposed to be. "It's the pore that our proteins use to get the surface," he said.
Haseltine's company is working on a range of proteins, from the VEGF protein which helps control the growth of blood vessels -- useful in treating both cancer and heart disease -- to a protein used to rev up immune cells.
"As a protein is made, it is extruded through the pore into the (cell's) inner membrane like a spaghetti," Haseltine said.
Then it either stays in the cell membrane -- perhaps to act as a receptor, or a kind of doorway, into the cell -- or it is sent out to other cells. Blobel's signal controls this.
I hadn't previously given much thought to the singular of "spaghetti" - "spaghettus"?
Use in a sentence:
"You have a spaghettus in your mustache."
Now use "horticulture."
"You can lead a horticulture, but you can't make her think." - Dorothy Parker
(Actually "spaghetti" is a good image for explaining the protein - membrane relationship.)
OK, I think that's more than enough from
Doc |
