Drug screening platform based on the crystal structure of certain ion pumps
The present invention relates the groundbreaking discovery of the crystal structure of certain ion pumps recently published in Nature. The exchange of signals and matter between a cell and its surroundings is ensured by ion pumps and receptors embedded in the cell membrane. It has now been shown how the cells? ion pumps look and function. Ion pumps are essential to both human and plant life at the cellular level. In the human body, the pumps ensure energy to all signal and transport processes in the body ? e.g. nerve impulses and the kidneys? salt secrete. In plants and mushrooms they are moreover the basis for absorption of nutrients.
Today a number of drugs have an effect on the pumps as for example heart- and ulcer medicine. However, the new results may be used for the development of new and better types of medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular- and infectious diseases as well as cancer. Moreover, they can be the basis for development of new nanotechnologies, pesticides and culture plants with large salt tolerance.