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Show Sunday, April 20, 1997 THE DAILY HERALD, Provo, Utah By SUE GOETINCK The Dallas Morning News - DALLAS Welcome to What's My Hormone." J" It's not a combination of What's My Line" and "The Dating Game." But it is a game that scientists are playing in hopes of discovering 15 or so . hormones that researchers suspect I are lurking inside the body, "It's like a treasure hunt," said f UDavid Mangelsdorf, a molecular f biologist at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at ' Dallas. The hormones that Mangelsdorf, as well as scientists at other institutions, are hunting for are called steroid hormones chemin molecal cousins to cules such as estrogen and testosterone. Since those familiar hormones are crucial for keeping the body running smoothly, researchers believe the unknown steroids will be important, too. ' And because many widely used such as birth control pills drugs and some antidiabetic medications -- rare similar to natural hormones, scientists are betting that discovery of the mystery hormones will lead to the development of valuable drugs. "I think there are a lot of potential applications down the road," said Keith Parker, an endocrinologist with the Howard Hughes Med-- ; ical Institute and Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Parker will join the UT Southwestern faculty in June. Although the hormones themselves are still a mystery, scientists do have a few clues to go on. First, the hormones' chemical properties are almost certainly similar to those of other steroids, a fact that narrows down the hormone hunt. Second, researchers already know 'the hormones' targets in the body. S All hormones influence the "body by sticking to molecules ! called receptors. In the case of steroids, the receptors are inside cells. If a molecule of estrogen, for instance, floats into a cell that contains an estrogen receptor, hormone-receptor pairs can activate genes, changing the properties of the cell. When researchers began studying steroid receptors, they noticed that receptors for different hormones such as testosterone, were estrogen and progesterone very similar to one another. And once a few of the receptors had been discovered, it was easy to find more. At present, Mangelsdorf said, there are more than 70 different versions of such receptors known in the animal kingdom. Hormones have yet to be discovered for 17 of the steroid receptors that can be found in people, said Mangelsdorf, who is also a researcher with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Since the receptors don't have a known hormone, they're referred to as orphan receptors. Scientists hope to get as many of the receptors "adopted" as possible. Last fall, Mangelsdorf and other UT Southwestern researchers Bethany Janowski, Patricia Willy, Thota Rama Devi and J.R. Falck reported in the journal Nature that they had found the hormones for a receptor called "LXR-alpha- ." Using laboratory tricks to imitate what happens in the body, the scientists were able to identify three molecules that can coax the receptor into activating genes. "Mother Nature has defined this system," Mangelsdorf said. "And we say, 'Mom, you did a good job and we're going to do the same thing.'" To find the molecules, the researchers took advantage of the fact that hormones fit into recep Pag.E5 the cells glowing, they knew $iey had found the right hormone keys. Once the keys were found, Mangelsdorf said, the researchers realized that the "LXR-alpha- " molecule might be involved in controlling cholesterol levels in the body. The three keys turned oul to be molecules produced whenjoo much cholesterol builds up intthe T body. One possibility, Mangelsdorf said, is that the molecules function as hormones that sense when cholesterol levels get too high, and then trigger genes that will lead: to cholesterol breakdown. tors like keys fit into locks. Using genetic engineering techniques, the scientists generated cells that contained the "LXR-alpha- " "lock" and a gene that could be activated If the receptor is by "LXR-alphathe lock, the gene can be thought of as a door one that can only be activated, or "opened," if the right hormone "key" is used. Then the researchers set out to find the right key. They added different chemical compounds to the cells and watched to see which ones would activate the gene. The gene was the one that fireflies use to glow. So when the scientists saw ." J cTlfiMil well-know- r- COME LEARN exceptional DESIGN IDEAS for your home that will help you express your personal style! NATIONAL EXPERTS will explore unique approaches to make your home sizzle. 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LIBRA (Sept. 23): Don't gel involved in other people's affairs. You should fo about your business and look out for your own interests. SCORPIO (Oct. 22): It is best to concentrate on the domestic chores that you have let fall behind. You may feel a little under the weather. SAGITTARIUS 21): (Nov. iL'ncertainlies about your direction may lead n sudden changes in employment. Don't Jverreact to the suggestions made by superiors. CAPRICORN (Dec. 20): Put your efforts into making the necessary changes at home. You will receive very little help from others. . 18): You will AQUARIUS (Jan. get along famously with people who can give you greater understanding regarding your direction. " PISCES (Feb. 20): Older family members may need your undivided attention immediately. Take care of the situation the1 best you can. iF . ' -- r 'B,& " ' ' - V ' vfi'l' lfW (f Wedding packages to choose from. Missionaries, , , Jr OTHER CELEBRITY GUESTS INCLUDE... 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