The Hygiology Post ® is presenting information about a company that seems to have much potential to help many people. The years 2012, 2013, and 2014 appear to likely be pivotal years in determining how helpful the patented technologies may actually be for people. Senesco Technologies has continued to update information on its web site (https://www.senesco.com/; retrieved on 12-22-2013). As a matter of disclosure : The author continues to be a current shareholder in the company.
A recent article in the publication, Seeking Alpha (https://seekingalpha.com/article/1897781-senesco-heading-in-the-right-direction-with-a-unique-cancer-therapy-technology; obtained on 12-22-13), titled “Senesco Heading In The Right Direction With A Unique Cancer Therapy Technology” on “Dec 13 2013, 13:19 by: Nick Zheng” began the following way:
I have long considered Senesco Technologies Inc (OTCQB:SNTI) an agricultural biotechnology company. For over a decade, Senesco had been working on technologies to increase the crop yield and shelf life of fruits. It formed partnerships with a group of well-known agriculture technology companies such as Monsanto Company (MON) and Bayer (BAYRY). Senesco’s key target is the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A). In eukaryotic cells, eIF5A is an abundant protein involved in protein synthesis and is one of the most conserved proteins during evolution. Senesco’s team found that eIF5A acts at a critical point in the process of cell death. By controlling or changing the process of senescence (cell death in a plant cell), Senesco could modify the taste, texture and other consumer traits of a crop’s seeds or fruits.
Senesco is no longer an agricultural company but focused on human diseases as many biological mechanisms are conserved between plants and animals. Some “hot” biological phenomena were actually first discovered or utilized in plant biology. Fortunately for Senesco, its expertise in eIF5A has potential in cancer therapy. I believe Senesco’s work on eIF5A has both scientific and commercial potential.
Construction of Unique Cell-Specific Weapon Against Cancers
Life is beautiful and all living things share the same essential characteristics. All life is composed of cells, which are programmed to die to ensure the overall health of the organism. The senescence in plants turned out to have a counterpart word in animals, i.e. apoptosis. If we could induce cancer cells to apoptosis, then we would potentially find a therapy for that cancer. While programmed cell death is a complicated process, researchers have found that eIF5A plays an important role in that it is the only protein that contains the special amino acid hypusine. In humans, eIF5A has a lysine at the 50 amino acid position. After eIF5A is synthesized, almost the entire lysine residue is modified to hypusine. This post-translational modification from lysine to hypusine is necessary for cell growth. When this modification is stopped, cells enter into apoptosis and die.”
The Hygiology Post ® welcomes feedback from readers as to whether the articles (individually and/or collectively) help fulfill its vision and mission.
Louis DeCola, Jr. © 2014 The Hygiology Post ®