Wilson disease is characterized by exessive copper accumulation in the liver and fulminant hepatitis. A recent study has investigated the therapeutic potential of menthanobactin, a peptide produced by Methylosinus trichosporium OB3b that has a high affinity for copper. In a rat model of Wilson disease, short-term treatment with methanobactin was able to prevent hepatocyte death, subsequent liver failure and death. The researchers propose methanobactin as “the lead drug of choice to develop a more efficient and safe treatment of [Wilson disease]”.
References
Lichtmannegger, J. et al. Methanobactin reverses acute liver failure in a rat model of Wilson disease. J. Clin. Invest. http://dx.doi.org/10.1172/JCI85226
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Leake, I. Novel therapeutic strategy for Wilson disease. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 13, 436 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.115
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2016.115