As someone who values their brain, I am terrified of Alzheimer's disease. However, I'll be sleeping easier at night from now on, knowing that Pac-Man is on the case. A new enzyme is being developed that supposedly eats amyloid proteins by "opening and closing," breaking down a close link to the disease in very much the same was as everyone's favorite yellow glutton.
The Pac-Man Enzyme, as it has been dubbed by researchers at Florida's Mayo Clinic, is only in very early stages. However, it may be the key to treating an incurable and rather horrible disease. It's certainly a better videogame character association than Sonic Hedgehog Homolog, a protein that has been linked to hedgehog cancer.
We wish Pac-Man all the best in finding a possible cure to Alzheimer's, and hate Sonic for giving poor woodland creatures cancer.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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Contest:
9:20 AM on 04.28.2009
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Also, I hope this Alzheimer's cure/retardant comes in (Power) pill form.
Namco Bandai presents PAC-MAN CHOMPS ALZHEIMERS!
You heard it here first. And I hope this works, Alzheimers sucks.
There's a legitimate protein in spinal cord development called Sonic Hedgehog. It's not only real, but it's extremely vital for proper development. Without it, YOU WOULDN'T BE ALIVE. (http://tinyurl.com/yenktt Wikipedia link)
Other video game associated molecules: pikachurin (potentially involved in the visual system) and Zbtb7, formerly known as POK Erythroid Myeloid ONcogenic factor (work it out yourself)
@Changston: there is also the recently discovered ribbon synapse localization protein Pikachurin.