Bionovo describes predictable estrogen regulatory elements

California, USA-based Bionovo has announced results describing predictable estrogen regulatory elements that can be used to identify  estrogenic drugs that are safer. The data, published in Molecular and  Cellular Endocrinology, showed that the new regulatory elements can  distinguish the estrogenic pharmacological activity exerted by different  compounds and allow for more accurate prediction of specific tissue  effect.

"Selective estrogen modulators (SERMs) are an exciting class of drugs  that are used to prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis and differ from  estrogens in how they regulate gene transcription," said Dale Leitman,  from the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences  at the University of California, San Francisco. "This study identified  gene elements that are activated by SERMs but not by estrogens used in  hormone therapy. The identification of these elements, coupled with the  understanding of the differential regulation in various tissues by each  estrogen receptor subtype, provides a new platform for the discovery of  safer estrogenic drugs with SERM-like profiles to prevent and treat a  variety of clinical conditions associated with menopause," Dr Leitman  added.

The study was conducted by investigators at the Center for Reproductive  Sciences in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive  Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco in collaboration  with scientists at Bionovo.