Dr. Nassour's research spans several significant health conditions, including medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, and retinitis pigmentosa, which leads to vision loss. He investigates the role of specific proteins and receptors in these diseases to find new ways to inhibit their progression. For instance, he studies the AZIN1 protein in brain tumors, revealing that higher levels are tied to more aggressive cancer behavior. In eye conditions, he explores targeted drug therapies that can reduce inflammation and neuronal death, aiming to provide new hope for patients suffering from severe vision impairment.
Key findings
Higher levels of AZIN1 in medulloblastoma are linked to aggressive tumor traits and c-Myc presence, and removing AZIN1 from tumors in mouse studies improved survival rates.
Blocking the TrkC.T1 receptor reduced retinal inflammation and delayed neuronal death in a model of retinitis pigmentosa, indicating potential new treatments for vision loss.
Interactions between urotensin II and angiotensin II type 1 receptors can alter blood vessel function, which may have implications for treating cardiovascular diseases.
Two specific peptides from the urotensin II receptor promote cell growth without causing heart muscle contractions, suggesting possible new drug approaches for heart issues.
Understanding how PRDX1 regulates the activity of APE1, which influences IL-8 production, could lead to strategies for controlling cancer-related inflammation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Dr. Nassour study brain cancer?
Yes, he studies medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer, focusing on how proteins like AZIN1 affect its growth.
What treatments has Dr. Nassour researched for vision loss?
He has researched targeted drugs that inhibit specific receptors to reduce retinal inflammation and protect nerve cells in conditions like retinitis pigmentosa.
How does Dr. Nassour's work relate to heart disease?
His studies explore receptor interactions that influence heart and blood vessel function, potentially leading to new treatments for cardiovascular issues.
Is Dr. Nassour's research relevant for patients with inflammatory diseases?
Yes, his work on proteins that regulate inflammation could inform new strategies for treating various inflammatory conditions, including cancer.
What can Dr. Nassour's findings tell us about amino acid regulation?
His research has identified how specific proteins play a role in managing amino acid levels, which is crucial for metabolism and can impact metabolic disorders.
Publications in plain English
Selective inhibitors of the TrkC.T1 receptor reduce retinal inflammation and delay neuronal death in a model of retinitis pigmentosa.
2025
PNAS nexus
Brahimi F, Nassour H, Galan A, Guruswamy R, Ortiz C +4 more
Plain English This study looked at a specific receptor in the eye called TrkC.T1 and its role in a condition called retinitis pigmentosa, which causes vision loss. Researchers found that using targeted drugs to block TrkC.T1 reduced harmful inflammation and delayed the death of nerve cells in a mouse model of the disease. Specifically, this treatment prevented the increase of a damaging protein and reduced neuron loss, highlighting the potential for new therapies that protect against vision loss.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with retinitis pigmentosa by identifying new treatment options.
AZIN1 level is increased in medulloblastoma and correlates with c-Myc activity and tumor phenotype.
2025
Journal of experimental & clinical cancer research : CR
Sesen J, Martinez T, Busatto S, Poluben L, Nassour H +5 more
Plain English This research investigated the role of a protein called AZIN1 in medulloblastoma, a type of brain cancer. They found that higher levels of AZIN1 in tumor samples were linked to more aggressive cancer traits and were associated with the presence of c-Myc, a protein that drives tumor growth. In mouse studies, removing AZIN1 from tumors slowed their growth and helped the mice live longer, indicating that targeting AZIN1 could be beneficial in treating this aggressive form of cancer.
Who this helps: Patients with medulloblastoma and their doctors.
Evidence for heterodimerization and functional interaction of the urotensin II and the angiotensin II type 1 receptors.
2024
Cellular signalling
Nassour H, Pétrin D, Devost D, Billard E, Sleno R +2 more
Plain English This study looked at how two receptors in the body, urotensin II and angiotensin II type 1, interact with each other. Researchers found that when these receptors combine (called heterodimerization), they produce different signals compared to when they work separately, which could influence heart and blood vessel function. Specifically, when both receptors were present, the impact of angiotensin II was reduced, suggesting these interactions are significant in both healthy and unhealthy conditions.
Who this helps: This research could benefit patients with cardiovascular issues by informing new treatment approaches.
Lipidated peptides derived from intracellular loops 2 and 3 of the urotensin II receptor act as biased allosteric ligands.
2021
The Journal of biological chemistry
Nassour H, Hoang TA, Martin RD, Dallagnol JCC, Billard É +8 more
Plain English Researchers studied specific peptides from the urotensin II receptor, which is linked to heart problems, to see if they could help treat cardiovascular diseases. They found that two of these peptides, hUT-Pep2 and [Trp, Leu]hUT-Pep3, can effectively promote cell growth and influence signaling pathways without causing heart muscle contractions. This matters because it opens up new possibilities for developing drugs that target heart issues more precisely.
Who this helps: This helps patients with cardiovascular diseases and doctors looking for more effective treatments.
Spt5 Phosphorylation and the Rtf1 Plus3 Domain Promote Rtf1 Function through Distinct Mechanisms.
2020
Molecular and cellular biology
Chen JJ, Mbogning J, Hancock MA, Majdpour D, Madhok M +5 more
Plain English This study looked at how a molecule called Rtf1 works with another molecule named Spt5 to help cells produce RNA, which is essential for creating proteins. The researchers found that the interaction between Rtf1 and a modified version of Spt5 (called pSpt5) is crucial for this process, with each of them working in their own distinct way to support proper RNA production. Specifically, they identified that both Rtf1's unique domain and pSpt5 play separate but complementary roles in helping the cell's machinery operate efficiently.
Who this helps: This benefits researchers and scientists working on gene expression and potential therapies related to RNA processing in various diseases.
Towards Targeting the Urotensinergic System: Overview and Challenges.
2019
Trends in pharmacological sciences
Nassour H, Iddir M, Chatenet D
Plain English This research paper looks at the urotensinergic system, which includes a receptor and two substances involved in various diseases like heart problems and cancer. Researchers found that drugs designed to block this receptor have worked well in animals but not in human patients, showing only limited success. Understanding why these drugs fail in humans is important because it could lead to better treatments for serious conditions.
Who this helps: This benefits patients with heart disease, cancer, and other related health issues.
Peroxiredoxin 1 interacts with and blocks the redox factor APE1 from activating interleukin-8 expression.
2016
Scientific reports
Nassour H, Wang Z, Saad A, Papaluca A, Brosseau N +3 more
Plain English This study focused on how a protein called APE1, important for repairing DNA and regulating gene expression, interacts with another protein, PRDX1. Researchers found that when PRDX1 is removed, APE1 becomes more active and increases the production of a protein called IL-8, which is linked to cancer growth and spread; specifically, the IL-8 levels rose when PRDX1 was knocked down. This matters because understanding how PRDX1 helps regulate APE1 could lead to ways to control inflammation and potentially prevent cancer progression.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients at risk of cancer and doctors looking for new treatment strategies.
Insights into a novel nuclear function for Fascin in the regulation of the amino-acid transporter SLC3A2.
2016
Scientific reports
Saad A, Bijian K, Qiu D, da Silva SD, Marques M +8 more
Plain English This study looked at a protein called Fascin 1 and discovered it has an important role in the cell nucleus, influencing how genes are turned on and off. Specifically, it was found that Fascin 1 affects the SLC3A2 gene, which is crucial for regulating amino acids in cells. The researchers showed that changes in the SLC3A2 gene can impact how a key cell growth pathway, known as mTORC1, is activated, emphasizing the protein's new role in managing amino acid levels and overall metabolism.
Who this helps: This research benefits patients with metabolic disorders that affect amino acid levels and related health issues.
Moutaoufik MT, El Fatimy R, Nassour H, Gareau C, Lang J +3 more
Plain English This study looked at how mammalian cells respond to low doses of UVC light by forming structures called stress granules, which are made up of RNA and proteins. The researchers found that these granules helped the cells stop dividing and enter a resting state to repair DNA damage caused by UVC. Unlike other stress granules, these UVC-induced ones formed slowly, did not combine into larger structures, and persisted for at least 48 hours, showing a link between their breakdown and the cells resuming division.
Who this helps: This research benefits scientists and medical professionals studying cellular responses to stress and DNA repair mechanisms.
Escherichia coli STb enterotoxin dislodges claudin-1 from epithelial tight junctions.
2014
PloS one
Nassour H, Dubreuil JD
Plain English This study looked at how a specific toxin from the bacteria Escherichia coli (known as STb) affects the tight connections between cells in the intestine, which are crucial for preventing leaks that cause diarrhea. The researchers found that after exposure to the STb toxin, a key protein called claudin-1 shifted from the cell membrane to the inside of the cell, leading to 40% more claudin-1 in the cytoplasm after 24 hours in a calcium-free environment. This matters because understanding how the toxin disrupts these tight junctions can help develop better treatments for diarrhea caused by bacterial infections in animals and humans.
Who this helps: This helps patients suffering from diarrhea, especially those with bacterial infections.