Aug2007 Drug Protein Targets
caspase 2, apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase (neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated 2)
Caspases act to convey the apoptotic signal in a proteolytic cascade, by cleaving and activating other caspases that subsequently degrade cellular targets that lead to cell death. Caspase-2 is also required for release of cytochrome C and Smac from mitochondria and for translocation of Bax from the cytoplasm to mitochondria.
- Theraptosis is developing a series of caspase 2 inhibitors, for the treatment of newborn brain ishaemia, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and myocardial infarction.
- Caspase 2 belongs to the Enzyme > Protease/peptidase Target Family Group and its EC number is 3.4.22.55. Its Entrez Gene ID is 835.
CD163 molecule
CD163 is a member of the scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) superfamily, which is exclusively expressed by monocytes and macrophages. It acts as a receptor that scavenges haemoglobin by mediating endocytosis of haptoglobin-haemoglobin complexes.
- HRC-304 is a MAb against CD163, under development by Hemosol BioPharma for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced anaemia that is not responsive to erythropoietin treatment.
- CD163 is a member of the Receptor Target Family Group. Its Entrez Gene ID is 9332.
interleukin 17 receptor C
The Interleukin 17 family plays a role in the mediation of inflammatory effects and has 6 members: IL-17A through F. Interleukin 17 recpetor C (IL-17RC) is a single-pass transmembrane protein sharing only 22% amino acid identitiy with IL-17R, which forms a heteromeric receptor for IL17 with IL-17R. It is widely expressed in nonleukocyte tissues and a soluble version has been shown to neutralize proinflammatory properties of IL-17A and IL-17F
- ZymoGenetics and Merck Serono (Merck KGaA) are developing an IL-17RC antagonist for the treatment of inflammatory diseases with potential in inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.
- IL-17RC belongs to the Receptor > Cytokine Target Family Group. Its Entrez Gene ID is 84818.
lectin, galactoside-binding, soluble, 9 (galectin 9)
Galectin 9 is involved in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. It is strongly overexpressed in Hodgkin's disease tissue and is thought to participate in the interaction between the Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H&RS) cells with their surrounding cells and may therefore play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease and/or its consistently associated immunodeficiency.
- GalPharma is developing a genetically-engineered derivative of wildtype galectin-9 for the treatment of autoimmune and other immunological disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), diabetes and asthma.
- Galectin 9 belongs to the Peptide hormone Target Family Group. Its Entrez Gene ID is 3965.
secreted frizzled-related protein 1
Secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP-1) is a Wnt antagonist and has been demonstrated to be an important regulator of human osteoblast and osteocyte survival, which can lead to a decrease in bone formation. It is expressed in several human tissues, and highly expressed in the heart.
- Wyeth is developing a series of SFRP-1 inhibitors for the treatment of osteoporosis.
- The Entrez Gene ID for SFRP-1 is 6423.
