Protein interaction mapping in fruit fly might help in understanding SMA

The latest issue of Cell magazine features an article on protein interaction mapping in common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster).

The protein map was created as a collaboration between the labs of Artavanis-Tsakonas, HMS professor of cell biology Steven P. Gygi, and scientists at UC Berkeley and in India.

K. G. Guruharsha, one of the contributing authors, told The Harvard Crimson, that the protein interaction map may help scientists learn how evolutionarily related proteins communicate in humans.

Furthermore he added: "We are looking at spinal muscular atrophy and the role some proteins may play in regulating a gene implicated in this disease. We feel that our protein interaction map can help."