Researchers Analyze Function and Mechanisms of Bifunctional Fusion Proteins Upregulated in Muscle Hypertrophy

Article title:Structural and functional characterization of engineered bifunctional fusion proteins of CD39 and CD73 ectonucleotidases

Authors: Elizabeth H. Zhong, Carola Ledderose, Paola De Andrade Mello, Keiichi Enjyoji, Justin Mark Lunderberg, Wolfgang G. Junger, Simon C. Robson

From the authors: “This CD39-CD73 construct was found to be highly active in platelet aggregation assays, suggesting that the bifunctional enzyme could potentially serve as an anti-inflammatory therapeutic agent to convert pro-inflammatory extracellular ATP into anti-inflammatory adenosine.” 

This study is highlighted as one of December’s "best of the best" as part of the American Physiological Society's APSselect program.