Following this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry for breakthroughs in protein structure prediction...
Clovertex’s December Target of the Month is the Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex (DGC), inspired by a groundbreaking cryo-EM study recently published in Nature. This work illuminates the native structure of the DGC, a crucial molecular assembly that anchors the cytoskeleton to the extracellular matrix in muscle cells, disruptions of which underlie muscular dystrophies such as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
By resolving the intricate architecture of the DGC and rationalizing over 110 disease-causing mutations, this study unlocks transformative therapeutic opportunities. These range from stabilizing mutant complexes to gene therapies that restore functional components and strategies to upregulate compensatory pathways. With its structural insights, the DGC sets a new foundation for precision medicine approaches to combat muscular dystrophies and related disorders.
The Protein Imager rendering displays the cryo-EM structure of native dystrophin-glycoprotein complex (PDB entry 9C3C).
About Clovertex
Clovertex is an industry leader specializing in meeting the scientific IT needs of pharmaceutical companies, with a robust focus on cloud-based or on-premises cryo-EM processing. As an Advanced Tier Services Partner with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Clovertex leverages its comprehensive expertise to architect, build, automate, and manage software applications designed to meet specific research needs. Our all-encompassing solutions are meticulously tailored to streamline the complex processes associated with pharmaceutical research, underscoring our commitment to innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. By integrating state-of-the-art technology with deep scientific understanding, Clovertex paves the way in optimizing the intersection of information technology and pharmaceutical development.
Useful links
1. Native DGC structure rationalizes muscular dystrophy-causing mutations
2. Clovertex website
