Scientists at Shanghai Institute for Biological Sciences and Fudan University have discovered a new path for drugs to reach the nucleus of a human cell -- a major breakthrough for future pharmaceutical research.

The findings will be published in today's edition of Cell, a top academic journal in the world, researchers said yesterday.

Considered as the "nose" or "eyes" of a cell, receptors on a cell membrane are initial sensors of outside signals such as light, smell or drug stimulations. These small units then pass on the signals inside the cell which can lead to a further response.

During an experiment in 2001, researchers found that Beta-Arrestin1, a kind of cell protein, was able to take over the signal and transmit it directly to the cell's nucleus. Previously, however, it was believed Beta-Arrestin1 would deactivate receptors and repress the signal transmission.

"We were quite surprised by the findings," said Ma Lan, co-author of the published paper. "It not only updated people's knowledge of beta-inhibitors, but found a new direct path for outside signals to reach the cell nucleus."

More importantly, Ma said, the discovery will eventually lead to new medicines that directly effects the cell nucleus.

"There is still a long way to go before the achievement on fundamental cell research can have real applications for humans," Ma said.

Ma and her partner Pei Gang, director of SIBS and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have applied for a patent for their research.

(Shanghai Daily December 2, 2005)