Findings Published in February Issue of Peer-Reviewed Journal, 'The Plant
Cell' - the Premier Technical Journal for Plant Biologists
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
Researchers at Paradigm Genetics, Inc. (Nasdaq: PDGM), in collaboration
with scientists at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, and The
Salk Institute for Biological Sciences, La Jolla, CA, announced the discovery
for the first time of the role of heterotrimeric G-protein signaling in plant
cell proliferation and its association with key agronomic traits. This
discovery will also enable researchers to identify the cell surface receptor
associated with the G-proteins that in turn can be manipulated to trigger
effects on crop traits.
"This study for the first time reveals important agronomic traits
associated with G-protein signaling and opens up a new approach to altering
important crop traits such as yield," said Dr. Keith Davis, Vice President,
Agricultural Research, who led the Paradigm team.
Heterotrimeric G-proteins, a large class of signaling proteins, and the
associated receptors that these proteins interact with, are among the most
important targets for drug development in the pharmaceutical industry,
accounting for at least $21 billion in drug sales per annum. Heterotrimeric G
proteins respond to signals from outside the cell -- light, chemicals, etc. --
through a cell surface associated receptor, and translate (transduce) these
signals into action within the cell. While the presence of a single
heterotrimeric G-protein complex in plants was suggested based on sequence
information alone, their role in plant biology has not been understood.
"While we know a tremendous amount about G-proteins in animals, the role
of heterotrimeric G-proteins in plants had largely been overlooked," said Alan
Jones, Ph.D., co-author of the paper and a Professor at the University of
North Carolina-Chapel Hill. "The use of Paradigm's GeneFunction Factory(TM)
was pivotal in identifying the complex phenotypes and revealing important
agronomic traits controlled by the plant G-protein."
A functional heterotrimeric G-protein complex consists of three subunits,
alpha, beta and gamma. In this study, homology-modeling studies were first
used to compare the structures of known mammalian and yeast subunits to the
plant (Arabidopsis) subunits. The genes coding for two of the subunits of the
G-protein complex were independently knocked out to create mutant plants
lacking a functional complex. These mutants were grown side by side with
their corresponding "wild type" plants and numerous features, including many
associated with fruit yield, were compared using Paradigm's phenotypic
analysis platform, GeneFunction Factory(TM). By restricting the knockout only
to specific tissues, Paradigm scientists are now able to more easily determine
G-protein involvement in key signal transduction pathways associated with cell
proliferation and new means to control plant performance and yield.
About Paradigm Genetics, Inc.
Paradigm is a biotechnology company driving R&D productivity by focusing
its suite of technologies on the product development cycle, from target
discovery to the subsequent enhancement of the safety and efficacy profiles of
development candidates in agriculture and human health. Paradigm chooses a
system biology approach to understand gene function in the context of
biological pathways, to develop assays and biomarkers for molecular diagnostic
solutions tailored to the needs of our partners. For more information, visit
http://www.paradigmgenetics.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding Paradigm's ability to increase R&D productivity by
focusing its integrated suite of technologies on the product development
cycle, from target discovery to the subsequent enhancement of the safety and
efficacy profiles of development candidates; the ability of the company to
understand gene function in the context of biological pathways; the prospects
of Paradigm to develop assays and biomarkers for molecular diagnostic
solutions tailored to the needs of its partners; Paradigm's ability to meet or
exceed the expectations of its partners and customers; as well as Paradigm's
prospects for growth and innovation. Such forward-looking statements are based
on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of risks,
factors and uncertainties that may cause actual results, events and
performance to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking
statements. These risks, factors and uncertainties include, but are not
limited to, Paradigm's early stage of development, history of net losses,
technological and product development uncertainties, reliance on research
collaborations, uncertainty of additional funding and ability to protect its
patents and proprietary rights. Certain of these and other risks are
identified in Paradigm's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not intend
to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release
to conform these statements to actual results or to changes in our
expectations, except as may be required by law.
SOURCE Paradigm Genetics, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.paradigmgenetics.com
CONTACT:
Melissa Matson, Manager, Corporate
Communications of Paradigm Genetics, Inc, +1-919-425-3000, or
media, Prateek Patnaik, +1-212-845-4281, or investors, Amy Garay,
+1-212-845-4261, both of Noonan Russo Presence Euro RSCG
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