Scientists find a key protein that allows Plavix to conquer platelets

(University of North Carolina Health Care) UNC School of Medicine researchers found that the blood platelet protein Rasa3 is critical to the success of the common anti-platelet drug Plavix, which breaks up blood clots during heart attacks and other arterial diseases. The discovery details how Rasa3 is part of a cellular pathway crucial for platelet activity during clot formation. Understanding the protein's role could also prove vital in the development of new compounds aimed at altering platelet function.

Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - February 23, 2015 Category: Biology Source Type: news